Epogen Making Patients Worse

Epogen, a drug commonly used to treat anemia, has been linked to serious complications in cancer and kidney patients. The drug, which is erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs), has been approved to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney failure and in cancer patients whose anemia is caused by chemotherapy. Epogen is used for patients scheduled for major surgery to reduce potential blood transfusions and for the treatment of anemia in HIV patients.

Epogen is a genetically engineered version of a natural protein, erythropoietin, which increases the number of red blood cells. Epogen is manufactured by Amgen Inc.

The FDA recently issued an alert informing medical professionals and patients about cases of severe anemia and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) in patients taking ESAs. This news infers that Erythropoietin drugs are actually making patients worse rather than better.

PRCA is a condition in which the body's white blood cells begin to attack its own bone marrow --bone marrow is necessary in the creation of new healthy blood cells. Anemia is a deficiency in which the body produces less red blood cells/hemoglobin. Anemia can be brought on by excessive blood loss, red blood cell destruction, or red blood cell production deficiency.

The FDA Announcement

On March 9, 2007 the FDA announced new warning labels for the drugs, citing an increased risk of blood clots, heart attacks and even death in kidney patients when the drugs are taken at higher than recommended doses. Patients with head and neck cancers developed tumor growth faster when given the higher doses. When the drugs were given at recommended doses, there was an increased risk of death in people with cancer who were not receiving chemotherapy. There was also an increased risk of blood clots in people who had orthopedic surgery.

The new warning label advises doctors to monitor patients' levels of red blood cells and to use the lowest possible dose to avoid the need for blood transfusions. Additionally, the FDA advises both doctors and patients to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of a transfusion if anemia worsens. This new information pertains to all ESAs and the FDA is currently re-evaluating the safe use of ESA.

If you are the victim of Epogen side effects contact an Epogen Attorney at Charlip Law Group, LC. Click here for a free, confidential medical case evaluation and a representative will contact you promptly.

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