Are Epogen and Procrit interchangeable?

Biosimilars are approved through an abbreviated licensure pathway for biological products that are shown to be interchangeable with an already FDA-approved biological product. Retacrit cannot be interchanged with Epogen at the pharmacy level; the physician must specifically order Retacrit.

What is a substitute for Procrit?

On May 15, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx, Hospira Inc., a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc.) as a biosimilar to Epogen/Procrit (epoetin alfa, Amgen Inc.)

Is there an alternative to Epogen?

The popular anemia drugs, Epogen and Procrit (epoetin alfa), will soon have a less expensive alternative, Retacrit. Epogen and Procrit are specialty medications used to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD) or chemotherapy, but they don’t come cheap.

Is epoetin alfa the same as Procrit?

PROCRIT® (epoetin alfa) may be used to treat anemia if it is caused by: Chronic kidney disease (you may or may not be on dialysis). Chemotherapy that will be used for at least 2 months after starting PROCRIT®. A medicine called zidovudine (AZT) used to treat HIV infection.

What is the generic name for Epogen?

GENERIC NAME: EPOETIN ALFA – INJECTION (e-POE-tin AL-fa)

What is the generic for Procrit?

Procrit and Epogen are the trade names for epoetin alfa. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade names Procrit or Epogen when referring to the generic drug name epoetin alfa. Drug Type: Epoetin alfa is a colony stimulating factor.

What is the difference between Procrit and Aranesp?

The differences between the two drugs are not limited to molecular structure: While Procrit is measured in units per kilogram of the patient’s weight, Aranesp is measured in micrograms per kg. There is currently no formula for direct comparison of dosages measured in units to those measured by weight.

What is the difference between Epogen and Aranesp?

Epoetin alfa (Retacrit, Procrit, Epogen) is a glycoprotein that stimulates red blood cell production; whereas, darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) stimulates erythropoiesis by the same mechanism as endogenous erythropoietin.

What is the difference between retacrit and Epogen?

Retacrit cannot be interchanged with Epogen at the pharmacy level; the physician must specifically order Retacrit. Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx), from Hospira, and Epogen, (epoetin alfa), from Amgen, are both erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) used to help improve red blood cell production.

What is the generic name for Procrit?

How long do you have to take Procrit?

It usually takes 2 to 6 weeks before the number of red blood cells increases in your body. Individual results with PROCRIT® may vary.

Is Epogen generic?

Procrit and Epogen are the trade names for epoetin alfa. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade names Procrit or Epogen when referring to the generic drug name epoetin alfa.

Are there cheaper alternatives to Epogen and Procrit?

FDA Approves Cheaper Alternative to Specialty Anemia Drugs Epogen and Procrit. The popular anemia drugs, Epogen and Procrit (epoetin alfa), will soon have a less expensive alternative, Retacrit. Epogen and Procrit are specialty medications used to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD) or chemotherapy, but they don’t come cheap.

When was Epogen / Procrit approved for dialysis patients?

Epogen/Procrit was approved on June 1, 1989 for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure, including patients on dialysis and patients not on dialysis and on April 1, 1993 for the treatment of anemia due to the effects of concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

How does Epogen / Procrit work in bone marrow?

ESAs work like the human protein erythropoietin, which stimulates bone marrow to make red blood cells. Epogen/Procrit is also indicated for anemia due to zidovudine in patients with HIV and reduction of RBC transfusions in patients certain surgeries.

What’s the difference between retacrit and Epogen?

Retacrit is a biosimilar to Epogen and Procrit, not a generic. What is a biosimilar? Without getting too technical, Epogen and Procrit are biologics, brand-name medications made from living cells.