Epogen (epoetin alfa)

• Anemia from chronic kidney disease: people with anemia (low red blood cells) caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD), on dialysis or not, to lower the need for red blood cell transfusions. This includes children 1 month and older..
• Anemia from zidovudine in HIV: people with HIV whose anemia is caused by the HIV medicine zidovudine, when a blood test shows their own erythropoietin level is not high.
• Anemia from chemotherapy: adults and children 5 years and older with cancers that do not start in the bone marrow (non-myeloid cancers), when chemotherapy causes the anemia and at least two more months of chemotherapy are planned. Not for use when the cancer is expected to go away for good with chemotherapy..
• Fewer blood transfusions during surgery: people having planned surgery that is not on the heart or blood vessels, who are at high risk of blood loss and whose hemoglobin is in the range the label sets, to lower the need for donated blood. Not for people willing to donate their own blood before surgery..

A prescription is required. Your prescriber decides whether Epogen is right for you.

Injection under the skin, given by a healthcare professional, or you or a caregiver after training.

Injection into a vein (IV), given by a healthcare professional, or a trained patient on home dialysis.

You or a caregiver can give the shots under the skin at home after training, and a nurse can show you how. For people on hemodialysis, the label recommends giving it into a vein, usually through the dialysis line.

Storage: Keep it in the refrigerator in its original carton to protect it from light. Do not freeze or shake it.

Before the first dose, your prescriber may ask for:

• a check of your iron levels
• tests to rule out other causes of anemia, such as low vitamins or bleeding
• a check that your blood pressure is under control
• a blood test for hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen)

Important safety information: This medicine has a boxed warning about a higher risk of death, heart attack, stroke and blood clots, including clots in a dialysis access. In people with some cancers, it can also shorten survival or make tumors grow or come back.

Read the Medication Guide and the full Epogen prescribing information, and ask your prescriber or our pharmacists about side effects. Our pharmacists are on call 24 hours a day.

Health plans often require prior authorization for Epogen. Our intake team checks your coverage and works with your prescriber’s office on the paperwork before your first delivery.

The manufacturer runs a support program, Amgen SupportPlus, that may help eligible patients with costs and access.

Offices can call (844) 671-2600 or fax a referral to (844) 671-2601. Use the Nephrology Referral Form (PDF).

The manufacturer also publishes Amgen SupportPlus resources for Epogen, including a benefits verification form.