Totality of Available Data Reaffirms PROCRIT(R) (Epoetin alfa) Is Safe and Effective When Used Appropriately as Labeled to Treat Chemotherapy-Indu...(s associated with neutralizing antibodie...),Health

erythropoietin have been reported in patients with chronic renal

failure receiving PROCRIT by subcutaneous administration. If any

patient develops a sudden loss of response to PROCRIT, accompanied by

severe anemia and low reticulocyte count, and anti-erythropoietin

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 (e.g., 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.

-- During PROCRIT therapy, blood pressure should be monitored carefully

and aggressively managed, particularly in patients with an underlying

history of hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

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

diarrhea, nausea,
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