| Author | Subject: Suspected Cases Of PRCA in EPREX treatment |
| Wong | Posted At 23:06:03 09/13/2002 I am a hemodylisis patient, I have been on EPREX*(epoetin alfa) treatment for about 13 months, my recent hemoglobin level checks show a decrease level to as low as 4.4 gd/l, and after reading articles on possible developement of PRCA(pure red blood cell aplasia) using EPREX**, i have since stop completely using it and meanwhile are on occasional blood transfusion, would greatly appreciate if anyone out there who are kind enough to suggest any remedy or relevant information of the kind, Thank you very much, May God Bless You All. |
| Beth Witten | Re: Suspected Cases Of PRCA in EPREX treatment (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 19:37:32 09/17/2002 I've heard of this condition, but don't feel qualified to respond to your question. However, there is a letter from Janssen-Ortho that was posted on the Internet. The web link to the entire letter is at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb-dgps/therapeut/zfiles/english/advisory/industry/eprex_e.html. (Note: If this address word wraps, copy and paste it into the address line on your computer.) If I were you, I'd share this letter with your doctor. One paragraph from the letter states key points to consider: "Physicians are advised to monitor clinical response to EPREX. In patients developing sudden lack of efficacy, or worsening of anemia, typical causes of non-response (e.g. iron folate and Vitamin B12 deficiency, aluminum intoxication, infection or inflammation, blood loss, and haemolysis) should be investigated. If PRCA is suspected and no cause can be identified, testing for erythropoietin antibodies and bone marrow examinations should be considered and therapy with EPREX must be discontinued immediately. Patients should NOT be switched to another erythropoietin. Other causes of pure red cell aplasia should be excluded, and appropriate therapy instituted." |
| Wong | Re: Suspected Cases Of PRCA in EPREX treatment (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 03:05:11 09/22/2002 Thank you so much Beth for your response, yes i have read that letter and even emailed to Canada Health hoping for so advise, yes on my doctors advise, i did almost all the necessary tests you care to mention and those are not the cause, except for the bone marrow examination, which i am planning to take, if you do come across any other relevant information, i shall be very grateful if you could share, Thank you again |
| shyam | treating PRCA with eprex (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 13:11:49 09/20/2003 for low level of Hb due to PRCA)confirmed through bone marrow biopsy) i m being suggested to take eprex. at places eprex causes prca ,wud it suit a person who is already suffering from it. |
| Beth Witten | Re: Suspected Cases Of PRCA in EPREX treatment (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 22:43:25 09/21/2003 You don't say in your email what caused your PRCA. This might make a difference. There were some patients who developed PRCA after taking Eprex. Janssen-Ortho did an investigation of those people who have developed this condition. They came up with some possible causes and recommendations that you can find in a letter from Janssen-Ortho on the Health Canada Online web site at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/tpd-dpt/eprex2_e.html. I'd suggest you print this letter. Take it to your doctor and ask him/her if you are a good candidate for Eprex or any drug like it. |