epoetin alfa-epbx *Retacrit*

epoetin alpha *Epogen/Procrit*

Indications: Symptomatic anemia and to avoid transfusions

* Initial: Hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL and/or Hematocrit less than 30%

* Maintenance: Hemoglobin less than or equal to 11g/dL and/or Hematocrit less than or equal to 33%

* Ferritin greater than 100 and/or Iron saturation (TSAT) greater than 20%

Clinical Response to Epoetin applies to each criterion below:

* If Hemoglobin increases greater than 1g/dL in 2 weeks interval, reduce dose by 25%

* If no rise in Hemoglobin by at least 1 g/dL after 4 weeks of baseline, may increase dose by 25%

* Discontinue epoetin if Hemoglobin has not risen by at least 1-2 g/dL from baseline after 6-8 weeks or if no response after 12 weeks with appropriate dose adjustments.

* Stop epoetin therapy within 8 weeks after last dose of chemotherapy