Hemapo: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Use

What is hemapo used for?

Hemapo is a drug that belongs to the class of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), which are drugs that stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

This drug contains epoetin alfa as its main active ingredient. Epoetin alfa is a synthetic form of natural protein in the body that is commonly used to help the body produce red blood cells.

Hemapo is used to treat several conditions such as the following.

Anemia in people with chronic kidney failure
Anemia due to chemotherapy in cancer patients
Anemia due to the use of the drug zidovudine (drugs used to treat HIV)
Pre and post surgery to avoid blood transfusions due to the large amount of blood lost due to surgery.

Hemapo is a liquid and will be inserted by injection. This drug is also included as a prescription drug. So, you cannot get it freely at the pharmacy and must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription if you want to buy it.

How do you use hemapo?

There are several things you should pay attention to when using hemapo, including:

This medicine should only be injected directly into your skin or by intravenous drip.
Do not shake the medicinal liquid that is in the injection syringe bottle, because it will change the content in it.
Discontinue use if discoloration occurs or particles are found in it. Only use this medication if the liquid looks clear and clean.
Read and understand all drug use orders that are given by the doctor or that are available on the drug packaging. If you have questions, ask your doctor and pharmacist.
You may need to have frequent health checks while using this medicine to make sure it does not have harmful effects on your body.
You may be given other medicines to prevent certain side effects of using the drug. Use this medication until the time determined by the doctor. Do not stop using or change your medication dose without your doctor knowing.
The administration of this drug may be accompanied by a diet. Keep on a diet according to doctor's advice.
One injection bottle is only used for one dose. Discard the bottle after use, even if there is still residual liquid medicine.
Use a different syringe for each dose. Do not keep used needles, let alone reuse them.

How to save hemapo?

As with other medicines, keep these medicines away from children and pets. Store hemapo in the refrigerator and keep it away from exposure to light. But do not freeze in the freezer and discard this medication immediately if it has frozen.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Pay attention to the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist if you are in doubt or confused.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this hemapo when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment

What is the hemapo dosage for adults?

Adult dosage for people with anemia due to the use of the drug zidovudine

Initial dose: 100 units / kilogram (kg) IV or by direct injection three times a week
For treatment, 4200 milligrams (mg) / week or less.

Adult dosage for anemia while undergoing chemotherapy

Initial dose: 150 units / kg injected directly three times a week or 40,000 units injected directly once a week and
used until chemotherapy is finished.

Adult dosage for anemia in people with chronic renal failure

For patients both on and not on dialysis:

Initial dose: 50-100 units / kg IV or injected directly three times a week.

Adult dosage for anemic patients before undergoing surgery

Initial dose: 300 units / kg injected directly once a day for 10 days before undergoing surgery, on the day of surgery and 4 days after surgery or 600 units injected directly on days 21, 14, and 7 days before surgery and on the day of surgery.

What is the hemapo dose for children?

Children's dosage for anemia while undergoing chemotherapy

For ages 5-18 years:
Initial dose: 600 units / kg IV given once a week
Used until chemotherapy is over.

Children's dosage for chronic renal failure

For ages 1 month to 16 years:
Initial dose: 50 units / kg IV or as a direct injection 3 times a week

In what dosage is hemapo available?

Epoetin alfa 2000 International Unit (IU), 3000 IU

Side effects

What are the side effects of using hemapo?

Every drug use has side effects. Side effects that may occur after using hemapo include:

headache
aches and pains felt in the joints and muscles
nausea
gag
constipation
weight loss
mouth feels sore
insomnia
depression
the area of the skin that was injected was swollen, red, sore, and itchy

If the side effects mentioned above do not get better right away or they get worse, contact your doctor. Meanwhile, there are other side effects that are quite serious, are:

itchy skin
skin rash
swelling of the face, throat, lips, or eyes
wheezing or breath sounds
difficulty breathing or swallowing
hoarseness
lost energy
dark urine
diarrhea
bright colored stools
eye irritation
chest tightness
jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
feeling sad and lackluster
unable to concentrate
passed out

Keep in mind that the doctor prescribes this because the doctor has examined your body and health condition and assesses that the benefits you get from using this medicine will outweigh the risk of side effects.

Not everyone experiences the side effects that have been mentioned. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you are concerned about certain side effects you will experience after using this medicine, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using hemapo?

Here are some things you should know before using hemapo, including:

Tell your doctor if you have an allergic reaction to hemapo, other medicines, or epoetin alfa.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist all the types of medicines you are currently using, whether prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, herbs, to vitamins.
Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure.
Tell your doctor that you have had or have a history of seizures. If you are taking this medication for anemia caused by chronic kidney failure, tell your doctor if you have had cancer.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor about using this drug.
Do not use this medication to treat anemia caused by a deficiency of iron or folic acid, as they can actually block the action of these drugs.
This medicine should not be given or consumed by healthy people.

Is hemapo safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in pregnancy risk category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), namely the food and drug safety body equivalent to BPOM in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = No risk,
B = not at risk in several studies,
C = May be risky,
D = There is positive evidence of risk,
X = Contraindicated,
N = Unknown

Interaction

What medicines can interact with hemapo?

Although certain drugs should not be taken at the same time, in some cases, two different drugs can be used together even if the interaction is possible. If this happens, your doctor may change the dose, or take other precautions if necessary.

When you are taking this medicine your doctor should know if you are currently taking any of the medicines that are listed below. The following is a list of drugs selected based on potential interactions that often occur and does not mean that other drugs will not react with hemapo.

The following is a list of drugs that can interact with hemapo, including:

benazepril
captopril
fosinopril
lenalidomide
moexipril
pomalidomide
quinapril
ramipril
thalidomide

What foods and alcohol can interact with hemapo?

Certain medications should not be consumed at mealtimes or when eating certain types of food because interactions may occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco-derived products with certain drugs can also cause interactions. Discuss with your health care professional the use of drugs with food, alcohol, or products derived from tobacco.