Results from Study Evaluating PROCRIT(R) in Intensive Care Unit Patients Published in New England Journal o...(e count and anti-erythropoietin an...),Health

antibody-associated anemia is suspected, withhold PROCRIT and other

erythropoietic proteins. Contact ORTHO BIOTECH (1-888-2ASKOBI or 1-

888-227-5624) to perform assays for binding and neutralizing

antibodies. If erythropoietin antibody-mediated anemia is confirmed,

PROCRIT should be permanently discontinued and patients should not be

switched to other erythropoietic proteins.

-- The safety and efficacy of PROCRIT therapy have not been established in

patients with a known history of a seizure disorder or underlying

hematologic disease (eg, sickle cell anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes,

or hypercoagulable disorders).

-- In some female patients, menses have resumed following PROCRIT therapy;

the possibility of pregnancy should be discussed and the need for

contraception evaluated.

-- Prior to and regularly during PROCRIT therapy monitor iron status;

transferrin saturation should be greater than or equal to 20% and

ferritin should be greater than or equal to 100 ng/mL. During therapy

absolute or functional iron deficiency may develop and all patients

will eventually require supplemental iron to adequately support

erythropoiesis stimulated by PROCRIT.

-- In studies, the most common side effects included fever (pyrexia),

diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, swelling of hands or feet (edema), lack or

loss of strength or weakness (asthenia, fatigue), shortness of breath,

high blood pressure, headache, joint pain (arthralgias), abnormal skin

sensations (as tingling or tickling or itching or burning;

paresthesia), rash, constipation, and upper respiratory infection.

Please visit http://www.procrit.com for the full Prescribing Information, including the Boxed Warning.

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