Retacrit 20000uni Inj, 1ml
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. This medication is administered via injection into the fatty tissue under the skin or into a vein by a healthcare professional.
Self-Administration
If you are giving yourself the injection, your doctor or nurse will instruct you on the proper technique. It is essential to follow their guidance to ensure safe and effective use.
Important Handling Instructions
- Do not shake the medication.
- Do not use the medication if it has been shaken.
- Wash your hands before and after handling the medication.
- Inspect the solution before use; do not use it if it appears cloudy, is leaking, contains particles, or has changed color.
- Avoid injecting into skin that is irritated, tender, bruised, red, scaly, hard, scarred, or has stretch marks.
Disposal of Used Needles and Supplies
Dispose of used needles and other sharp objects in a designated needle/sharp disposal box. Never reuse needles or other items. Once the disposal box is full, follow local regulations for its proper disposal.
Storage and Disposal
For information on how to store and dispose of this medication, refer to the specific product instructions.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to determine the best course of action.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Maintain adequate iron intake, as iron is crucial for red blood cell production. Your doctor may prescribe iron supplements.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly at home, as this medication can cause or worsen high blood pressure.
- Report any unusual symptoms immediately, especially signs of blood clots (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling/pain in legs, sudden weakness or numbness).
- Keep all appointments for blood tests and doctor visits to monitor your response and check for side effects.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction: rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever), wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking, unusual hoarseness, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high blood pressure: severe headache, dizziness, fainting, or changes in vision
Signs of high blood sugar: confusion, drowsiness, excessive thirst or hunger, frequent urination, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity-smelling breath
Signs of low potassium levels: muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or an irregular heartbeat
Rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath, significant weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs
Weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or thinking, balance problems, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred vision
Confusion
Cool or pale arm or leg
Difficulty walking
Dizziness or fainting
Excessive sweating
Seizures
Feeling extremely tired or weak
Pale skin
Depression
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately, as they may indicate a blood clot:
Chest pain or pressure
Coughing up blood
Shortness of breath
Swelling, warmth, numbness, color change, or pain in a leg or arm
Difficulty speaking or swallowing
In rare cases, a severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may occur, which can cause serious health problems and even death. Seek medical help right away if you notice:
Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
Red or irritated eyes
Sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or persist, contact your doctor:
Irritation at the injection site
Fever or chills
Headache
Upset stomach or vomiting
Cough
Bone, joint, or muscle pain
Muscle spasms
Mouth irritation or mouth sores
Weight loss
Difficulty sleeping
* Common cold symptoms
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Sudden chest pain or shortness of breath
- Pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg (signs of a blood clot)
- Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden severe headache, confusion, or problems with vision or speech (signs of stroke)
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision)
- Seizures
- Severe allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling of face/tongue/throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following conditions before starting this medication:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this drug, its components, or other substances, and describe the symptoms you experienced.
If you have high blood pressure.
If you have active bleeding.
If you have low levels of vitamins or minerals.
If you have a condition called Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA), a type of anemia.
Additionally, if you are using a multi-dose container, tell your doctor:
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication is not recommended during pregnancy.
If you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while taking this medication and for 2 weeks after your last dose.
If the patient is a premature baby or newborn. This form of the medication should not be given to premature babies or newborns.
This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and health issues with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
It is crucial that you inform all of your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.
Monitoring Your Health
You will need to have your blood pressure checked regularly, as directed by your doctor, because this medication can cause high blood pressure. Additionally, your doctor will instruct you on when to have blood work done to monitor your health.
Special Considerations
If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), it is essential to discuss this with your doctor, as some products contain phenylalanine.
Safe Use of Your Medication
Do not exceed the dosage prescribed by your doctor, as taking more than the recommended amount can increase the risk of severe side effects. If you accidentally take more of this medication than directed, contact your doctor immediately.
Understanding the Effects of Your Medication
This medication can increase the production of red blood cells in your blood. It is important to be aware that misuse or abuse of this type of medication can lead to serious health issues, including stroke, heart attack, and blood clots. If you have any questions or concerns, discuss them with your doctor.
Multi-Dose Container Precautions
This medication contains benzyl alcohol. If possible, it is recommended to avoid using products with benzyl alcohol in newborns or infants, as serious side effects can occur in these children, especially when combined with other medications containing benzyl alcohol. If you have questions, consult with your doctor.
Single-Dose Container Considerations
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, inform your doctor. You and your doctor will need to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Polycythemia (excessively high red blood cell count), which can lead to increased blood viscosity and risk of thrombotic events (e.g., stroke, heart attack, blood clots).
What to Do:
In case of suspected overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Treatment is supportive, focusing on managing symptoms and reducing blood viscosity (e.g., phlebotomy if severe polycythemia occurs). Call 1-800-222-1222.
Drug Interactions
Moderate Interactions
- Androgens (e.g., testosterone): May enhance the erythropoietic effect of epoetin alfa, potentially requiring lower epoetin alfa doses.
- Iron supplements: Essential for optimal response to epoetin alfa; inadequate iron stores will limit efficacy.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline anemia severity and guide initial dosing.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: Adequate iron stores are essential for optimal response to epoetin alfa. Iron deficiency will blunt response.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To establish baseline and identify pre-existing hypertension, which can be exacerbated by epoetin alfa.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To rule out other causes of anemia and assess overall hematologic status.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly until stable, then monthly or as clinically indicated.
Target: CKD: 10-11 g/dL; Chemotherapy: Do not exceed 12 g/dL.
Action Threshold: If Hgb rises rapidly (>1 g/dL in 2 weeks) or exceeds target range, reduce or interrupt dose. If Hgb does not increase after 8 weeks of therapy, discontinue.
Frequency: Regularly, especially during the initial phase of therapy and with dose adjustments.
Target: Individualized, maintain within patient's normal range.
Action Threshold: If significant increase or uncontrolled hypertension develops, manage aggressively and consider dose reduction or interruption.
Frequency: Monthly or every 3 months, or as clinically indicated.
Target: Ferritin >100 ng/mL (CKD) or >200 ng/mL (dialysis); TSAT >20%.
Action Threshold: If iron stores are low, initiate or increase iron supplementation.
Frequency: Continuously throughout therapy.
Target: Absence of symptoms.
Action Threshold: Promptly evaluate any new onset of chest pain, shortness of breath, leg pain/swelling, or neurological changes.
Symptom Monitoring
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Swelling in legs or arms
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- Vision changes
- Speech difficulties
- Seizures
- Skin rash or itching at injection site
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Epoetin alfa has been shown to have adverse effects in animal reproduction studies.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
It is not known whether epoetin alfa-epbx is excreted in human milk. Endogenous erythropoietin is present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the motherβs clinical need for Retacrit and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Retacrit or from the underlying maternal condition. Generally considered L3 (Moderately safe) based on low oral bioavailability and large molecular weight.
Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy have been established in pediatric patients with CKD-related anemia. Dosing is weight-based. Safety and efficacy in other pediatric populations (e.g., chemotherapy-induced anemia) have not been fully established.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Elderly patients may be at increased risk for cardiovascular events and thrombotic events, requiring careful monitoring.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Always ensure adequate iron stores (ferritin >100 ng/mL, TSAT >20%) before and during epoetin alfa-epbx therapy, as iron deficiency is the most common cause of treatment failure.
- Monitor hemoglobin levels closely (weekly/bi-weekly initially) to avoid rapid increases or exceeding target ranges, which are associated with increased cardiovascular and thrombotic risks.
- Aggressively manage hypertension, as epoetin alfa-epbx can cause or worsen high blood pressure. Blood pressure should be well-controlled before initiating therapy.
- Educate patients on the signs and symptoms of thrombotic events (e.g., DVT, PE, stroke, MI) and the importance of immediate medical attention if they occur.
- Retacrit is a biosimilar to Epogen/Procrit. It is not interchangeable with other ESAs without prescriber approval and patient education.
- For patients with cancer, use only for anemia due to myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and discontinue after completion of a chemotherapy course. Do not use in patients with myeloid malignancies.
Alternative Therapies
- Other Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs): Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (Mircera).
- Red Blood Cell Transfusions: For immediate correction of severe anemia or when ESAs are contraindicated/ineffective.
- Iron supplementation (oral or IV): Essential adjunctive therapy for most patients receiving ESAs.
- Correction of underlying causes of anemia (e.g., vitamin deficiencies, bleeding).