Epoetin Alfa Dosing for Anemia Due to Kidney Failure
The recommended starting dose of
epoetin alfa when treating anemia due to chronic kidney failure is based on weight: 50 to 100 units per kg of body weight (about 23 to 45 units per pound) three times a week. For children on dialysis, the recommended starting dose is 50 units per kg (about 23 units per pound) three times a week. Your healthcare provider will check your progress frequently, using a blood test that measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood and will adjust your dose in order to gradually increase your hemoglobin level up to 12 g/dL. If your hemoglobin increases too quickly or too much, your healthcare provider should decrease your dose. In some people, epoetin alfa will need to be given just once every two weeks.
Epoetin alfa can be given as an injection under the skin (a subcutaneous injection) or by IV. For people on dialysis, the IV method is usually best.
Epoetin Alfa Dosing for Anemia Due to Zidovudine Use
The recommended starting dose of epoetin alfa when treating anemia due to
zidovudine (
Retrovir®,
Combivir®,
Trizivir®) is 100 units per kg (about 45 units per pound) three times a week for eight weeks. For this use, epoetin alfa can be given as an injection under the skin or by IV. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dose, depending on how you respond to the drug.
Epoetin Alfa Dosing for Anemia Before Surgery
There are two different dosing options when using epoetin alfa to prevent the need for blood transfusions due to surgery in people with anemia. These dosing options include:
- Epoetin alfa 300 units per kg (about 136 units per pound) once daily for 10 days before surgery, on the day of surgery, and for 4 days after surgery
- Epoetin alfa 600 units per kg (about 273 units per pound) once weekly, on 21, 14, and 7 days before surgery, plus a dose on the day of surgery.
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