Renocrit 4000 IU

HOW IT WORKS:   

Renocrit 4000 IU is a hormone, normally produced by the kidney when there is a need. usually when there is requirement of more oxygen, then this hormone will be released by the kidney into blood. This hormone is essential for the production of red blood cells which has hemoglobin to carry the oxygen to cells. In kidney disease, the secretion of this hormone is affected and can cause severe anemia (state of low hemmoglobin). By giving this drug in the injection form, it increases the production of red blood cells  cell. Subsequently it increases hemoglobin in kidney disease patients. In some patients, this drug may be required in early stages of Chronic kidney disease like in diabetic kidney disease.

DOSAGE: 50-100 units/kg IV/SC 2-3 times weekly initially. If Hb level approaches or >11 g/dL, reduce or interrupt dose.

a. Dose shouldn’t be increased more frequently

b. If hemoglobin rises rapidly (eg, >1 g/dL in any 2-week period), the dose  may  be reduced by ≥25% as needed to reduce rapid responses; may reduce dose more frequently than once q4weeks;

c. Inadequate response (eg, if Hemoglobin does not increase by >1 g/dL after 4 weeks of therapy): dose to be increased by 25%; if inadequate response over 12-week escalation period, further dose increase is unlikely to improve response and may increase risks.

INTERACTIONS: Renocrit may have interaction with medicines used after kidney transplant (cyclosporine), other medicines for cancer and anemia (lenalidomide), medicines used for skin disease and cancer (thalidomide), anticancer (pomalidomide).

SAFETY:

LACTATION, PREGNANCY : Safe to use during pregnancy and lactation when the benefit outweighs the risk. Often the injections contain benzyl alcohol which might affect the fetus. Therefore the label should be read carefully before prescribing in pregnant and lactating mothers.

LIVER DISEASE: It is safe to use this medication in liver disease.

SIDE EFFECTS: 

Fever cough, headache, rash, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, chest infection, hypertension. There have been reports of seizures and pure red aplasia- a condition in which red blood cells are not properly formed.