Anaemia associated with chronic renal failure (CRF)

All other causes of anaemia (iron, folate or vitamin B12 deficiency, aluminium intoxication, infection or inflammation, blood loss, haemolysis and bone marrow fibrosis of any origin) should be evaluated and treated prior to initiating therapy with epoetin alfa, and when deciding to increase the dose. In order to ensure optimum response to epoetin alfa, adequate iron stores should be assured and iron supplementation should be administered if necessary.

Treatment of symptomatic anaemia in chronic renal failure patients on haemodialysis

Anaemia symptoms and sequelae may vary with age, gender, and co-morbid medical conditions; a physician’s evaluation of the individual patient’s clinical course and condition is necessary.

In paediatric patients the recommended haemoglobin concentration range is between 9.5 g/dL to 11 g/dL (5.9 to 6.8 mmol/L). Epoetin alfa should be administered in order to increase haemoglobin to not greater than 11 g/dL (6.8 mmol/L). A rise in haemoglobin of greater than 2 g/dL (1.25 mmol/L) over a four week period should be avoided. If it occurs, appropriate dose adjustment should be made as provided.

Patients should be monitored closely to ensure that the lowest approved dose of epoetin alfa is used to provide adequate control of anaemia and of the symptoms of anaemia.

Treatment with epoetin alfa is divided into two stages – correction and maintenance phase.

In paediatric patients on haemodialysis where intravenous access is readily available, administration by the intravenous route is preferable.

Correction phase

The starting dose is 50 IU/kg intravenously, 3 times per week.

If necessary, increase or decrease the dose by 25 IU/kg (3 times per week) until the desired haemoglobin concentration range of between 9.5 g/dL to 11 g/dL (5.9 to 6.8 mmol/L) is achieved (this should be done in steps of at least four weeks).

Maintenance phase

Appropriate adjustment of the dose should be made in order to maintain haemoglobin levels within the desired concentration range between 9.5 g/dL to 11 g/dL (5.9 to 6.8 mmol/L).

Generally, children under 30 kg require higher maintenance doses than children over 30 kg and adults. Paediatric patients with very low initial haemoglobin (<6.8 g/dL or <4.25 mmol/L) may require higher maintenance doses than patients whose initial haemoglobin is higher (>6.8 g/dL or >4.25 mmol/L).

Anaemia in chronic renal failure patients before initiation of dialysis or on peritoneal dialysis

The safety and efficacy of epoetin alfa in chronic renal failure patients with anaemia before initiation of dialysis or on peritoneal dialysis have not been established. Currently available data for subcutaneous use of epoetin alfa in these populations are described in section 5.1 but no recommendation on posology can be made.

Administer over at least one to five minutes, depending on the total dose. In haemodialysed patients, a bolus injection may be given during the dialysis session through a suitable venous port in the dialysis line. Alternatively, the injection can be given at the end of the dialysis session via the fistula needle tubing, followed by 10 mL of isotonic saline to rinse the tubing and ensure satisfactory injection of the product into the circulation.