Retacrit therapy is usually started under medical supervision. The injections can then be given by a doctor, trained nurse or other health care professional.
In case Retacrit is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) you can also inject the solution yourself once you have been shown how. Always use Retacrit exactly as your doctor has told you.
Dosage information
The dose you receive is based on your body weight in kilograms.
Your doctor will conduct investigations, for example blood tests, to help decide if it is necessary for you to have Retacrit. He/she will work out the correct dose of Retacrit for you to use, how long the treatment should continue and by what route the medicine will be given. These decisions will be influenced by what is causing your anaemia.
Use in kidney disease patients Retacrit should be administered either under the skin (subcutaneously) or as an injection either into a vein or a tube that goes into a vein.
Use in adult patients receiving haemodialysis
Your doctor will maintain your haemoglobin concentration between 10 and 12 g/dl (6.2 - 7.5 mmol/l).
Retacrit may be given during the dialysis session or after you have received a dialysis session.
The usual starting dose of Retacrit is 50 IU/kg (International Units per kilogram). This is given 3 times a week. If the solution is given into a vein, it should be injected over 1-5 minutes.
Depending on how your anaemia responds to treatment, the dose may be adjusted approximately every 4 weeks until your condition is controlled. The dose you receive should not normally exceed 200 IU/kg 3 times a week.
Your doctor will order regular blood tests to ensure that your medicine is continuing to work properly. When your condition has been brought under control, you will receive regular doses of Retacrit, 2 or 3 times a week. These doses may not be as high as those received initially.
Use in children and adolescents up to 18 years receiving haemodialysis
In children the doctor will maintain the haemoglobin concentration between 9.5 and 11 g/dl
Retacrit should be given after the patient has received a dialysis session.
The dose for children and adolescentsis based on body weight in kilograms. The usual starting dose is 50 IU/kg. This is given three times a week, injected into a vein (over 1-5 minutes).
Depending on how the anaemia responds, the dose may be adjusted approximately every 4 weeks until the condition is controlled. Your doctor will order regular blood tests to see that this is being achieved.
Use in adult patients receiving peritoneal dialysis
Your doctor will maintain your haemoglobin concentration between 10 and 12 g/dl.
The usual starting dose is 50 IU/kg. This is given twice a week.
Depending on how your anaemia responds, the dose may be adjusted approximately every 4 weeks until your condition is controlled. The total weekly dose that you receive should not normally exceed 200 IU/kg.
Your doctor will order regular blood tests to ensure that your medicine is continuing to work properly.
Use in adult patients with kidney disease but not receiving dialysis
The usual starting dose is 50 IU/kg. This is given 3 times a week.
The starting dose may be adjusted by your doctor until your condition is controlled. After your condition has been brought under control, you will receive regular doses of Retacrit, 3 times a week. The dosage should not normally exceed 200 IU/kg, 3 times a week.
Your doctor will order regular blood tests to ensure that your medicine is continuing to work properly.
Use in adult patients receiving chemotherapy
Your doctor may initiate treatment with Retacrit if your haemoglobin level is 10 g/dl or less. After initiation of therapy, your doctor will maintain your haemoglobin level between 10 and 12 g/dl
The usual starting dose is 150 IU/kg. This is given 3 times a week by injection under the skin. Alternatively, your doctor may recommend a starting dose of 450 IU/kg once a week. The starting dose may be adjusted by your doctor depending on how your anaemia responds to treatment; you will usually receive Retacrit until 1 month after the end of chemotherapy.
Use in adult patients in an autologous predonation programme
The usual starting dose is 600 IU/kg. This is given 2 times a week by injection into a vein. You will receive Retacrit during the 3 weeks before your surgery. You will also take iron supplements before and during Retacrit treatment to increase the effectiveness of Retacrit.
Information on administration
The pre-filled syringe is ready for use. Each syringe should be used for a single injection only. Retacrit must not be shaken or mixed with any other liquid.
If Retacrit is injected under the skin the amount injected in any one place should not exceed 1 ml.
Always follow these instructions when using Retacrit:
1. Take one sealed syringe blister and leave it to stand for a few minutes until it reaches room temperature prior to using it. This usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
2. Remove the syringe from the blister and check that the solution is clear, colourless and practically free from visible particles.
3. Remove the protective cap from the injection needle and expel air from the syringe and injection needle by holding the syringe vertically and gently pressing the plunger upwards.
4. Inject the solution as you have been shown by your doctor. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Do not use Retacrit if:
- the blister sealing is broken or the blister is damaged in any way
- the liquid is coloured or you can see particles floating in it
- any liquid has leaked out of the pre-filled syringe or condensation is visible within the sealed blister
- you know or think it may have been accidentally frozen
Changing from injecting into a vein to injecting under the skin (from intravenous into subcutaneous
injection) Once your condition is controlled you will receive regular doses of Retacrit. Your doctor may decide that it is better for you to receive Retacrit by injection under the skin (subcutaneous) rather than into a vein (intravenous).
The dose should remain the same while the change is being made. Afterwards, your doctor may order blood tests to see if any adjustment in dose is required.
Injecting Retacrit under the skin yourself
At the start of your therapy, Retacrit is injected by medical or nursing staff. However, your doctor may decide that it is right for you to learn how to inject Retacrit under the skin (subcutaneously) yourself. You will receive appropriate training to enable you to do this. Under no circumstances should you attempt to inject yourself unless you have been trained to do so.
If you use more Retacrit than you should
Retacrit has a wide safety margin and side effects due to an overdose of using Retacrit are unlikely. You should inform the doctor or nurse immediately if you think too much Retacrit has been injected.
If you forget to use Retacrit
Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop using Retacrit
Do not to stop the treatment without consultation of your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor.
