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Epogen
Brand name: Epogen
Chemical name: Epoetin alfa
Class: Erythropoiesis stimulating agent. Aranesp and Procrit are other erythropoiesis stimulating agents.
How it works: Erythropoiesis stimulating agents cause bone marrow to make more red blood cells.
Uses: Epogen is used to treat anemia, a lower than average number of red blood cells, that can be caused by chemotherapy.
- Epogen is given at the same time as chemotherapy.
- Epogen treatment stops when chemotherapy stops.
How it's given: Epogen is given intravenously or as an injection 1 to 3 times per week.
Side effects:
- blood clots
- tumor growth/recurrence
- heart problems
- stroke
- headache
- joint pain
- muscle pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- sleeping problems
- diarrhea
- constipation
- rash
- itching
- neuropathy
