Hello from the Medicine Man

[Medicine Man]

Hello everyone,

I found this site while I was trying to look up some information on Epogen. I work for DaVita RX, and have been here for a couple of years now. I've never worked in a pharmacy prior to this, and have been learning quite a bit about different drugs as well as dialysis and kidney disease along the way.

I myself do not have CKD, however, my younger brother has been a diabetic for 10 years and I worry about his health. Working for DaVita RX has opened my eyes to things that I had never thought about before with diabetes.

From what I've seen on this site so far, it's very helpful and informative. It's great that there are places like these where people from all over can get together to share information and to have questions answered. 

[paul.karen]

  MM

Glad to have you aboard.
I hope your brother wont become (one of us)..
Just curious what are you trying to figure out about Epogen that you wouldnt already know from your work as an RX?

Use the search feature on the site and you may get the answer your looking for.

[willieandwinnie]

  Medicine Man. We are a great group and we love to see medical folks join us. There is lots of information here and we are happy to answer any questions you have. 

[monrein]

 

[Medicine Man]

My brother is going to be visiting me in the middle of May, so maybe I can take the time to talk to him about keeping himself in check when it comes to his diabetes and maybe sharing some information with him that might help him (or scare him?) into sticking with a routine.

Just curious what are you trying to figure out about Epogen that you wouldnt already know from your work as an RX?

Use the search feature on the site and you may get the answer your looking for.

Actually, I started out with the EPO Depot team at DaVita RX. I know quite a bit about it. The one thing I was looking for is an answer to the "room temp" question.

From what I understand, "room temp" is considered 80 degrees and the only test from the manufacture states that it's EPO is still good for 7 days at room temp.

If the EPO gets too cold and freezes, it's done and will not work. But there's no statement as to how long at below freezing temperatures it takes.

I've read from different companies that their EPO will last for up to a month at room temperature. It was to answer a question from a nurse about how long EPO lasts, but she wanted a statement from the company that makes it, and I couldn't find it. I will look around here though, didn't think of that before.

[Romona]

 

[monrein]

I have a question for you MM, concerning Epo.  My understanding is that Epo (as opposed to Aranesp) is better absorbed by the body and therefore less is needed if it is given subcutaneously rather than into the lines during dialysis.  .I live in Canada and used to dialyze at a self-care clinic so this was never an issue for me and I also used Aranesp, not Epo.  However, I'm curious about your take on this.  Thanks

[Rerun]

Welcome MM.  Glad you could join us.  EPO is a wonderful drug, but it needs to be used sparingly.  I hate to see dialysis centers push the stuff like it was candy.  If blood gets too thick it clots and that is the last thing we need with a dialysis access.  I like to run a hematocrit of about 33 and my dialysis center would like to have it at 36.  The problem is that once it is at 36 it can go to 39 in no time. 

I hope you find this site enjoyable and recommend it to your staff.

                     

[Zach]

Welcome to the site!
 

PS:  When you have the "official" word about EPO and room temperature, please post it.
Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Medicine Man]

I have a question for you MM, concerning Epo.  My understanding is that Epo (as opposed to Aranesp) is better absorbed by the body and therefore less is needed if it is given subcutaneously rather than into the lines during dialysis.  .I live in Canada and used to dialyze at a self-care clinic so this was never an issue for me and I also used Aranesp, not Epo.  However, I'm curious about your take on this.  Thanks

First, let me start by saying that I am not a pharmacist. This is only my opinion. Epogen, Aranesp, and Procrit all have the same active ingredient in them (it's called epotin alfa). They are different in the preservatives and maybe some other additives they use. Injecting epogen directly into you would be absorbed better only because you wouldn't be diluting it into the lines.

Some people also have a reaction to the different drugs (again, because of the preservatives). If you're used to taking the multi-dose version of epogen and then get switched to a single dose, you might feel a burning sensation. This is because the single dose doesn't contain the preservatives (which somehow numbs the body's reaction to epo).

I don't have much knowledge on Aranesp. but I would guess that if you could or would inject it subcutaneously it would work similar to epogen in a small amount.

I've also heard of studies about an additive that would make epo stay in the body longer and be absorbed better (thus less injections), but I can't remember off the top of my head what it was.

[okarol]

Welcome to the forum Medicine Man, glad you could join us. 

This section is for introductions so please start a new topic for other discussions.

Thank you.

okarol/admin

[MandaMe1986]

Hi there  Happy to have you with us

[G-Ma]

 

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Medicine Man, good to have you aboard.

[paris]

Love your name!  And the avitar.  Glad you joined us.  This is a great site and I hope we hear from you often.  Looking forward to learning more about you. Welcome to IHD!!




paris, Moderator

[kellyt]

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