Procrit

Epoetin alfa is a man-made, injectable drug for treating anemia. Erythropoietin is a protein that normally is made in the body by the kidney. It causes the bone marrow to produce oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Under normal conditions, when the body senses a decrease in red blood cells or a deficiency in the supply of oxygen, more erythropoietin is produced, and this increases the number of red blood cells. When this natural mechanism is not working, it may become necessary to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. The erythropoietin that is used for therapy, called epoetin alfa, is man-made. It is a product of the genetic engineering of ovarian cells of the Chinese hamster and is produced through recombinant DNA technology in bacteria. It does not cure the underlying cause of the anemia, and unless the underlying cause can be reversed, treatment with epoetin alfa must be continued indefinitely.

Epoetin alfa belongs to a class of drugs called colony-stimulating factors because of their ability to stimulate cells in the bone marrow to multiply and form colonies of identical cells. Other colony-stimulating factors include filigrastim (Neupogen) and sargramostim (Leukine). Epogen and Procrit are both epoetin alfa, but they are marketed by two different pharmaceutical companies. The FDA approved epoetin alfa in June 1989.

PROCRIT (epoetin alfa) is a 165-amino acid erythropoiesis-stimulating glycoprotein manufactured by recombinant DNA technology. It has a molecular weight of approximately 30,400 daltons and is produced by mammalian cells into which the human erythropoietin gene has been introduced. The product contains the identical amino acid sequence of isolated natural erythropoietin.

PROCRIT is formulated as a sterile, colorless liquid in vials in multiple formulations. Single-dose vials, formulated with an isotonic sodium chloride/sodium citrate-buffered solution, are supplied in multiple strengths. Each 1 mL vial contains 2000, 3000, 4000, or 10,000 Units of epoetin alfa, Albumin (Human) (2.5 mg), citric acid (0.06 mg), sodium chloride (5.9 mg), and sodium citrate (5.8 mg) in Water for Injection, USP (pH 6.9 ± 0.3). Single-dose 1 mL vials formulated with an isotonic sodium chloride/sodium phosphate buffer contain 40,000 Units of epoetin alfa albumin (human) (2.5 mg),citric acid (0.0068 mg), sodium chloride (5.8 mg), sodium citrate (0.7 mg), sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrate (1.8 mg), and sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate (1.2 mg) in Water for Injection, USP (pH 6.9 ± 0.3). Multidose, 2 mL vials contain 10,000 Units epoetin alfa, albumin (human) (2.5 mg), benzyl alcohol (1%), sodium chloride (8.2 mg), citric acid (0.11 mg) and sodium citrate (1.3 mg) per 1 mL Water for Injection, USP (pH 6.1 ± 0.3). Multidose 1 mL vials contain 20,000 Units epoetin alfa, albumin (human) (2.5 mg), benzyl alcohol (1%), sodium chloride (8.2 mg), citric acid (0.11 mg), and sodium citrate (1.3 mg), per 1 mL in Water for Injection, USP (pH 6.1 ± 0.3).

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of epoetin alfa.

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label:

• Increased Mortality, Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Thromboembolism [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Increased mortality and/or increased risk of tumor progression or recurrence in Patients With Cancer [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Hypertension [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Seizures [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• PRCA [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Serious allergic reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

Clinical Trial Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of other drugs and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, including 244 patients with CKD on dialysis, were used to identify the adverse reactions to PROCRIT. In these studies, the mean age of patients was 48 years (range: 20 to 80 years). One hundred and thirty-three (55%) patients were men. The racial distribution was as follows: 177 (73%) patients were white, 48 (20%) patients were black, 4 (2%) patients were Asian, 12 (5%) patients were other, and racial information was missing for 3 (1%) patients.

Two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, including 210 patients with CKD not on dialysis, were used to identify the adverse reactions to PROCRIT. In these studies, the mean age of patients was 57 years (range: 24 to 79 years). One hundred and twenty-one (58%) patients were men. The racial distribution was as follows: 164 (78%) patients were white, 38 (18%) patients were black, 3 (1%) patients were Asian, 3 (1%) patients were other, and racial information was missing for 2 (1%) patients.

The adverse reactions with a reported incidence of ≥ 5% in PROCRIT-treated patients and that occurred at a ≥ 1% higher frequency than in placebo-treated patients are shown in the table below:

Table 3: Adverse Reactions in Patients With CKD on Dialysis

An additional serious adverse reaction that occurred in less than 5% of epoetin alfa-treated dialysis patients and greater than placebo was thrombosis (2.7% PROCRIT and 1% placebo) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

The adverse reactions with a reported incidence of ≥ 5% in PROCRIT-treated patients and that occurred at a ≥ 1% higher frequency than in placebo-treated patients are shown in the table below:

Table 4: Adverse Reactions in Patients With CKD Not on Dialysis

Additional serious adverse reactions that occurred in less than 5% of epoetin alfa-treated patients not on dialysis and greater than placebo were erythema (0.8% PROCRIT and 0% placebo) and myocardial infarction (0.8% PROCRIT and 0% placebo) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

In pediatric patients with CKD on dialysis, the pattern of adverse reactions was similar to that found in adults.

Zidovudine-treated HIV-infected Patients

A total of 297 zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients were studied in 4 placebo-controlled studies. A total of 144 (48%) patients were randomly assigned to receive PROCRIT and 153 (52%) patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo. PROCRIT was administered at doses between 100 and 200 Units/kg 3 times weekly subcutaneously for up to 12 weeks.

For the combined PROCRIT treatment groups, a total of 141 (98%) men and 3 (2%) women between the ages of 24 and 64 years were enrolled. The racial distribution of the combined PROCRIT treatment groups was as follows: 129 (90%) white, 8 (6%) black, 1 (1%) Asian, and 6 (4%) other.

In double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of 3 months duration involving approximately 300 zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients, adverse reactions with an incidence of ≥ 1% in patients treated with PROCRIT were:

Table 5: Adverse Reactions in Zidovudine-treated HIV-infected Patients

Cancer Patients On Chemotherapy

The data below were obtained in Study C1, a 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled 344 patients with anemia secondary to chemotherapy. There were 333 patients who were evaluable for safety; 168 of 174 patients (97%) randomized to PROCRIT received at least 1 dose of study drug, and 165 of 170 patients (97%) randomized to placebo received at least 1 placebo dose. For the once weekly PROCRIT-treatment group, a total of 76 men (45%) and 92 women (55%) between the ages of 20 and 88 years were treated. The racial distribution of the PROCRIT-treatment group was 158 white (94%) and 10 black (6%). PROCRIT was administered once weekly for an average of 13 weeks at a dose of 20,000 to 60,000 IU subcutaneously (mean weekly dose was 49,000 IU).

The adverse reactions with a reported incidence of ≥ 5% in PROCRIT-treated patients that occurred at a higher frequency than in placebo-treated patients are shown in the table below:

Table 6: Adverse Reactions in Cancer Patients

Surgery Patients

Four hundred sixty-one patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery were studied in a placebo-controlled study (S1) and a comparative dosing study (2 dosing regimens, S2). A total of 358 patients were randomly assigned to receive PROCRIT and 103 (22%) patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo. PROCRIT was administered daily at a dose of 100 to 300 IU/kg subcutaneously for 15 days or at 600 IU/kg once weekly for 4 weeks.

For the combined PROCRIT treatment groups, a total of 90 (25%) and 268 (75%) women between the ages of 29 and 89 years were enrolled. The racial distribution of the combined PROCRIT treatment groups was as follows: 288 (80%) white, 64 (18%) black, 1 ( < 1%) Asian, and 5 (1%) other.

The adverse reactions with a reported incidence of ≥ 1% in PROCRIT-treated patients that occurred at a higher frequency than in placebo-treated patients are shown in the table below:

Table 7: Adverse Reactions in Surgery Patients

Postmarketing Experience

Because postmarketing reporting of adverse reactions is voluntary and from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of PROCRIT:

• Seizures [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• PRCA [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Serious allergic reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Injection site reactions, including irritation and pain
• Porphyria

Immunogenicity

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity. Neutralizing antibodies to epoetin alfa that cross-react with endogenous erythropoietin and other ESAs can result in PRCA or severe anemia (with or without other cytopenias) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

The incidence of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to PROCRIT with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Procrit (Epoetin Alfa)

Procrit is part of the drug class:

• OTHER ANTIANEMIC PREPARATIONS

Before taking Procrit, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions.  Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Procrit or to any of its ingredients
• have heart disease
• have high blood pressure
• have had a seizure or stroke
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. Epoetin alfa may also shorten remission time or survival time in some people with certain types of cancer. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using epoetin alfa.

You should not use this medicine if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, or if you have ever had pure red cell aplasia (PRCA, a type of anemia) caused by using epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa or (Aranesp).

Other drugs may interact with epoetin alfa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• Signs of low potassium levels like muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or a heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Feeling confused.
• Swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm.
• Cool or pale arm or leg.
• Coughing up blood.
• Trouble walking.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• Sweating a lot.
• Seizures.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Pale skin.
• Trouble swallowing.

Single-dose vials: 2000, 3000, 4000, 10,000, and 40,000 Units Procrit /1 mL

Multiple-dose vials (contains benzyl alcohol): 20,000 Units Procrit /2 mL and 20,000 Units Procrit /1 mL

Procrit is contraindicated in patients with:

• Uncontrolled hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
• Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) that begins after treatment with Procrit or other erythropoietin protein drugs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]
• Serious allergic reactions to Procrit [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]

Procrit from multiple-dose vials contains benzyl alcohol and is contraindicated in:

• Neonates, infants, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse events and death, particularly in pediatric patients. When therapy with Procrit is needed in neonates and infants, use single-dose vials; do not admix with bacteriostatic saline containing benzyl alcohol [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3, 8.4)].

Procrit (epoetin alfa) is a 165-amino acid erythropoiesis-stimulating glycoprotein manufactured by recombinant DNA technology. It has a molecular weight of approximately 30,400 daltons and is produced by mammalian cells into which the human erythropoietin gene has been introduced. The product contains the identical amino acid sequence of isolated natural erythropoietin.

Procrit is formulated as a sterile, colorless liquid in vials in multiple formulations. Single-dose vials, formulated with an isotonic sodium chloride/sodium citrate-buffered solution, are supplied in multiple strengths. Each 1 mL vial contains 2000, 3000, 4000, or 10,000 Units of epoetin alfa, Albumin (Human) (2.5 mg), citric acid (0.06 mg), sodium chloride (5.9 mg), and sodium citrate (5.8 mg) in Water for Injection, USP (pH 6.9 ± 0.3). Single-dose 1 mL vials formulated with an isotonic sodium chloride/sodium phosphate buffer contain 40,000 Units of epoetin alfa albumin (human) (2.5 mg),citric acid (0.0068 mg), sodium chloride (5.8 mg), sodium citrate (0.7 mg), sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrate (1.8 mg), and sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate (1.2 mg) in Water for Injection, USP (pH 6.9 ± 0.3). Multiple-dose, 2 mL vials contain 10,000 Units epoetin alfa, albumin (human) (2.5 mg), benzyl alcohol (1%), sodium chloride (8.2 mg), citric acid (0.11 mg), and sodium citrate (1.3 mg) per 1 mL Water for Injection, USP (pH 6.1 ± 0.3). Multiple-dose 1 mL vials contain 20,000 Units epoetin alfa, albumin (human) (2.5 mg), benzyl alcohol (1%), sodium chloride (8.2 mg), citric acid (0.11 mg), and sodium citrate (1.3 mg), per 1 mL in Water for Injection, USP (pH 6.1 ± 0.3).

Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Adult Patients on Dialysis

Patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis: ESA effects on rates of transfusion

In clinical studies of CKD patients on dialysis, Procrit increased hemoglobin levels and decreased the need for RBC transfusion. Overall, more than 95% of patients were RBC transfusion-independent after receiving Procrit for 3 months. In clinical studies at starting doses of 50 to 150 Units/kg 3 times weekly, adult patients responded with an average rate of hemoglobin rise as presented in Table 8.

The safety and efficacy of Procrit were evaluated in 13 clinical studies involving intravenous administration to a total of 1010 anemic patients on dialysis. Overall, more than 90% of the patients treated with Procrit experienced improvement in hemoglobin concentrations. In the 3 largest of these clinical studies, the median maintenance dose necessary to maintain the hemoglobin between 10 to 12 g/dL was approximately 75 Units/kg 3 times weekly. More than 95% of patients were able to avoid RBC transfusions. In the largest US multicenter study, approximately 65% of the patients received doses of 100 Units/kg 3 times weekly or less to maintain their hemoglobin at approximately 11.7 g/dL. Almost 10% of patients received a dose of 25 Units/kg or less, and approximately 10% received a dose of more than 200 Units/kg 3 times weekly to maintain their hemoglobin at this level.

In the Normal Hematocrit Study, the yearly transfusion rate was 51.5% in the lower hemoglobin group (10 g/dL) and 32.4% in the higher hemoglobin group (14 g/dL).

Other ESA trials

In a 26-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 118 patients on dialysis with an average hemoglobin of approximately 7 g/dL were randomized to either Procrit or placebo. By the end of the study, average hemoglobin increased to approximately 11 g/dL in the Procrit-treated patients and remained unchanged in patients receiving placebo. Procrit-treated patients experienced improvements in exercise tolerance and patient-reported physical functioning at month 2 that were maintained throughout the study.

A multicenter, unit-dose study was also conducted in 119 patients receiving peritoneal dialysis who self-administered Procrit subcutaneously. Patients responded to Procrit administered subcutaneously in a manner similar to patients receiving intravenous administration.

Pediatric Patients on Dialysis

The safety and efficacy of Procrit were studied in a placebo-controlled, randomized study of 113 children with anemia (hemoglobin ≤ 9 g/dL) undergoing peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. The initial dose of Procrit was 50 Units/kg intravenously or subcutaneously 3 times weekly. The dose of study drug was titrated to achieve either a hemoglobin of 10 to 12 g/dL or an absolute increase in hemoglobin of 2 g/dL over baseline.

At the end of the initial 12 weeks, a statistically significant rise in mean hemoglobin (3.1 g/dL vs. 0.3 g/dL) was observed only in the Procrit arm. The proportion of children achieving a hemoglobin of 10 g/dL, or an increase in hemoglobin of 2 g/dL over baseline, at any time during the first 12 weeks was higher in the Procrit arm (96% vs. 58%). Within 12 weeks of initiating Procrit therapy, 92.3% of the pediatric patients were RBC transfusion independent as compared to 65.4% who received placebo. Among patients who received 36 weeks of Procrit, hemodialysis patients received a higher median maintenance dose [167 Units/kg/week (n=28) vs. 76 Units/kg/week (n=36)] and took longer to achieve a hemoglobin of 10 to 12 g/dL (median time to response 69 days vs. 32 days) than patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Adult Patients With CKD Not Requiring Dialysis

Four clinical studies were conducted in patients with CKD not on dialysis involving 181 patients treated with Procrit. These patients responded to Procrit therapy in a manner similar to that observed in patients on dialysis. Patients with CKD not on dialysis demonstrated a dose-dependent and sustained increase in hemoglobin when Procrit was administered by either an intravenous or subcutaneous route, with similar rates of rise of hemoglobin when Procrit was administered by either route.

Patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis: ESA effects on rates of transfusion

In TREAT, a randomized, double-blind trial of 4038 patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes not on dialysis, a post-hoc analysis showed that the proportion of patients receiving RBC transfusions was lower in patients administered an ESA to target a hemoglobin of 13 g/dL compared to the control arm in which an ESA was administered intermittently if hemoglobin concentration decreased to less than 9 g/dL (15% versus 25%, respectively). In CHOIR, a randomized open-label study of 1432 patients with CKD not on dialysis, use of epoetin alfa to target a higher (13.5 g/dL) versus lower (11.3 g/dL) hemoglobin goal did not reduce the use of RBC transfusions. In each trial, no benefits occurred for the cardiovascular or end-stage renal disease outcomes. In each trial, the potential benefit of ESA therapy was offset by worse cardiovascular safety outcomes resulting in an unfavorable benefit-risk profile [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

ESA Effects on rates of death and other serious cardiac adverse events

Three randomized outcome trials (Normal Hematocrit Study [NHS], Correction of Anemia with Epoetin Alfa in Chronic Kidney Disease [CHOIR], and Trial of Darbepoetin Alfa in Type 2 Diabetes and CKD [TREAT]) have been conducted in patients with CKD using Epogen/Procrit/Aranesp to target higher vs. lower hemoglobin levels. Though these trials were designed to establish a cardiovascular or renal benefit of targeting higher hemoglobin levels, in all 3 studies, patients randomized to the higher hemoglobin target experienced worse cardiovascular outcomes and showed no reduction in progression to ESRD. In each trial, the potential benefit of ESA therapy was offset by worse cardiovascular safety outcomes resulting in an unfavorable benefit-risk profile [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Zidovudine-treated Patients With HIV Infection

The safety and efficacy of Procrit were evaluated in 4 placebo-controlled studies enrolling 297 anemic patients (hemoglobin < 10 g/dL) with HIV infection receiving concomitant therapy with zidovudine. In the subgroup of patients (89/125 Procrit and 88/130 placebo) with pre-study endogenous serum erythropoietin levels ≤ 500 mUnits/mL, Procrit reduced the mean cumulative number of units of blood transfused per patient by approximately 40% as compared to the placebo group. Among those patients who required RBC transfusions at baseline, 43% of patients treated with Procrit versus 18% of placebo-treated patients were RBC transfusion-independent during the second and third months of therapy. Procrit therapy also resulted in significant increases in hemoglobin in comparison to placebo. When examining the results according to the weekly dose of zidovudine received during month 3 of therapy, there was a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.003) in RBC transfusion requirements in patients treated with Procrit (n=51) compared to placebo-treated patients (n=54) whose mean weekly zidovudine dose was ≤ 4200 mg/week.

Approximately 17% of the patients with endogenous serum erythropoietin levels ≤ 500 mUnits/mL receiving Procrit in doses from 100 to 200 Units/kg 3 times weekly achieved a hemoglobin of 12.7 g/dL without administration of RBC transfusions or significant reduction in zidovudine dose. In the subgroup of patients whose pre-study endogenous serum erythropoietin levels were > 500 mUnits/mL, Procrit therapy did not reduce RBC transfusion requirements or increase hemoglobin compared to the corresponding responses in placebo-treated patients.

Cancer Patients on Chemotherapy

The safety and effectiveness of Procrit was assessed in two multicenter, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled, double-blind studies (Study C1 and Study C2) and a pooled analysis of six additional randomized (1:1), multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies. All studies were conducted in patients with anemia due to concomitantly administered cancer chemotherapy. Study C1 enrolled 344 adult patients, Study C2 enrolled 222 pediatric patients, and the pooled analysis contained 131 patients randomized to epoetin alfa or placebo. In Studies C1 and C2, efficacy was demonstrated by a reduction in the proportion of patients who received an RBC transfusion, from week 5 through end of the study, with the last-known RBC transfusion status carried forward for patients who discontinued treatment. In the pooled analysis, efficacy was demonstrated by a reduction in the proportion of patients who received an RBC transfusion from week 5 through end of the study in the subset of patients who were remaining on therapy for 6 or more weeks.

Study C1

Study C1 was conducted in anemic patients (hemoglobin < 11.5 g/dL for males; < 10.5 g/dL for females) with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Randomization was stratified by type of malignancy (lung vs. breast vs. other), concurrent radiation therapy planned (yes or no), and baseline hemoglobin (< 9 g/dL vs. ≥ 9 g/dL); patients were randomized to epoetin alfa 40,000 Units (n=174) or placebo (n=170) as a weekly subcutaneous injection commencing on the first day of the chemotherapy cycle.

Ninety-one percent of patients were white, 44% were male, and the median age of patients was 66 years (range: 20 to 88 years). The proportion of patients withdrawn from the study prior to week 5 was less than 10% for placebo-treated or epoetin-treated patients. Per protocol, the last available hemoglobin values from patients who dropped out were included in the efficacy analyses. Efficacy results are shown in Table 9.

Study C2

Study C2 was conducted in 222 anemic patients, ages 5 to 18, receiving chemotherapy for the treatment of various childhood malignancies. Randomization was stratified by cancer type (solid tumors, Hodgkin's disease, acute lymphocytic leukemia, vs. non-Hodgkin's lymphoma); patients were randomized to receive epoetin alfa at 600 Units/kg maximum 40,000 Units (n=111) or placebo (n=111) as a weekly intravenous injection.

Sixty-nine percent of patients were white, 55% were male, and the median age of patients was 12 years (range: 5 to 18 years). Two (2%) of placebo-treated patients and 3 (3%) of epoetin alfa-treated patients dropped out of the study prior to week 5. There were fewer RBC transfusions from week 5 through the end-of-study in epoetin-alfa treated patients [51% (57/111)] compared to placebo-treated patients [69% (77/111)]. There was no evidence of an improvement in health-related quality of life, including no evidence of an effect on fatigue, energy, or strength in patients receiving Procrit as compared to those receiving placebo.

Pooled Analysis (Three Times Per Week Dosing)

The results of 6 studies of similar design and that randomized 131 patients to epoetin alfa or placebo were pooled to assess the safety and effectiveness of epoetin alfa. Patients were randomized to receive epoetin alfa at 150 Units/kg (n=63) or placebo (n=68), subcutaneously three times per week for 12 weeks in each study. Across all studies, 72 patients were treated with concomitant non cisplatin-containing chemotherapy regimens and 59 patients were treated with concomitant cisplatin-containing chemotherapy regimens. Twelve patients (19%) in the epoetin alfa arm and 10 patients (15%) in the placebo-arm dropped out prior to week 6 and are excluded from efficacy analyses.

Surgery Patients

The safety and efficacy of Procrit were evaluated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study (S1) enrolling 316 patients scheduled for major, elective orthopedic hip or knee surgery who were expected to require ≥ 2 units of blood and who were not able or willing to participate in an autologous blood donation program. Patients were stratified into 1 of 3 groups based on their pretreatment hemoglobin [≤ 10 g/dL (n=2), > 10 to ≤ 13 g/dL (n=96), and > 13 to ≤ 15 g/dL (n=218)] and then randomly assigned to receive 300 Units/kg Procrit, 100 Units/kg Procrit, or placebo by subcutaneous injection for 10 days before surgery, on the day of surgery, and for 4 days after surgery. All patients received oral iron and a low-dose, postoperative warfarin regimen.

Treatment with Procrit 300 Units/kg significantly (p=0.024) reduced the risk of allogeneic RBC transfusion in patients with a pretreatment hemoglobin of > 10 to ≤ 13 g/dL; 5/31 (16%) of patients treated with Procrit 300 Units/kg, 6/26 (23%) of patients treated with Procrit 100 Units/kg, and 13/29 (45%) of placebo-treated patients were transfused. There was no significant difference in the number of patients transfused between Procrit (9% 300 Units/kg, 6% 100 Units/kg) and placebo (13%) in the > 13 to ≤ 15 g/dL hemoglobin stratum. There were too few patients in the ≤ 10 g/dL group to determine if Procrit is useful in this hemoglobin strata. In the > 10 to ≤ 13 g/dL pretreatment stratum, the mean number of units transfused per Procrit-treated patient (0.45 units blood for 300 Units/kg, 0.42 units blood for 100 Units/kg) was less than the mean transfused per placebo-treated patient (1.14 units) (overall p=0.028). In addition, mean hemoglobin, hematocrit, and reticulocyte counts increased significantly during the presurgery period in patients treated with Procrit.

Procrit was also evaluated in an open-label, parallel-group study (S2) enrolling 145 patients with a pretreatment hemoglobin level of ≥ 10 to ≤ 13 g/dL who were scheduled for major orthopedic hip or knee surgery and who were not participating in an autologous program. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 2 subcutaneous dosing regimens of Procrit (600 Units/kg once weekly for 3 weeks prior to surgery and on the day of surgery, or 300 Units/kg once daily for 10 days prior to surgery, on the day of surgery, and for 4 days after surgery). All patients received oral iron and appropriate pharmacologic anticoagulation therapy.

From pretreatment to presurgery, the mean increase in hemoglobin in the 600 Units/kg weekly group (1.44 g/dL) was greater than that observed in the 300 Units/kg daily group. The mean increase in absolute reticulocyte count was smaller in the weekly group (0.11 × 106/mm3) compared to the daily group (0.17 × 106/mm3). Mean hemoglobin levels were similar for the 2 treatment groups throughout the postsurgical period.

The erythropoietic response observed in both treatment groups resulted in similar RBC transfusion rates [11/69 (16%) in the 600 Units/kg weekly group and 14/71 (20%) in the 300 Units/kg daily group]. The mean number of units transfused per patient was approximately 0.3 units in both treatment groups.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Procrit: hives, sweating; rapid pulse; wheezing, difficult breathing; severe dizziness or fainting; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Procrit can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use this medicine. Seek emergency medical help if you have:

• heart attack symptoms - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

• signs of a stroke - sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• signs of a blood clot in your leg - pain, swelling, warmth, redness, cold feeling, or pale appearance of an arm or leg; or

• dangerously high blood pressure - severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• unusual tiredness;

• a seizure (convulsions);

• low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or

• dangerously high blood pressure - severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats.

Common Procrit side effects may include:

• increased blood pressure;

• joint pain, bone pain, muscle pain;

• itching or rash;

• fever, cough;

• nausea, vomiting;

• headache;

• mouth pain; or

• pain or redness where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.