I have been told that going on an RBC stimulating drug (darbepoetin alfa or epoetin alfa) will help treat my anemia. What side effects can I expect?
These drugs are usually very well tolerated. Severe high blood pressure can occur, and this needs to be monitored before treatment is given. Other reactions include headache, and muscle and joint pains. There also may be an increased risk of blood clots in those treated with erythropoietin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Medicare have recently lowered the target hemoglobin levels, and now recommend that erythropoietin not be administered to patients with a hemoglobin level greater than 10.
These drugs are usually very well tolerated. Severe high blood pressure can occur, and this needs to be monitored before treatment is given. Other reactions include headache, and muscle and joint pains. There also may be an increased risk of blood clots in those treated with erythropoietin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Medicare have recently lowered the target hemoglobin levels, and now recommend that erythropoietin not be administered to patients with a hemoglobin level greater than 10. There are important new safety warnings that have been issued regarding the use of these drugs and these should be discussed with your physician.
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