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Procrit Side Effects

Procrit is widely prescribed in the United States to treat anemia in Procritpatients:

  • Receiving chemotherapy for cancer
  • Undergoing dialysis for kidney disease
  • Taking zidovudine therapy for HIV
  • Requiring major surgery

Unfortunately, Procrit use has been linked to severe and sometimes fatal side effects including:

Procrit Side Effects: Blood Clots

Procrit use has been linked to a serious side effect of increased blood clots. The American Medical Association Journal’s February 27th

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issue published a study on side effects caused by anemia drugs, including Procrit. The study concluded that patients who take erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs), like Procrit, have a 57% greater risk of developing severe side effects, including blood clots.

Blood platelets naturally clump and plug injured blood vessels to avoid excessive blood loss. Typically, blood clots are beneficial and not dangerous. If the blood clot forms within arteries or veins and obstructs normal blood flow it can lead to serious and fatal events.      

Procrit Side Effects: Heart Attacks

In November 2006, the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published a study revealing that patients with kidney disease who take Procrit have an increased risk of suffering serious side effects, including heart attacks. In November 2007, the FDA warned kidney patients that using Procrit to increase hemoglobin levels above 13.5 g/dL (grams (g) per deciliter (dL)) can significantly raise the risk of heart attack. The risk of suffering a heart attack as a side effect after Procrit use is greatest for kidney patients because they require Procrit use for long time periods.

Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart becomes blocked. The blockage may occur from blood clots in heart muscles or from plaque build-up. Procrit users have an increased risk of blood clots forming in the heart muscles. The NEJM article reported, based on this information, that Procrit use may increase the risk of heart attacks. 

Procrit Side Effects: Strokes

Procrit side effects include an increased risk for stroke. A stroke is a cardiovascular disease that affects arteries leading to and in the brain. A stroke occurs when blood vessels that carry oxygen to the brain are blocked. When the brain lacks oxygen, the brain cells begin to die. This causes body functions to cease functioning. A stroke causes irreversible damage to body organs and may lead to death.

Injured by Procrit Side Effects?          

If you would like more information about Procrit side effects, or if you or a loved one has suffered any Procrit side effects, please contact us today. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.



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Procrit Quick Facts

Procrit Quick Reference Guide
Other Names:

epoetin alfa

Date Approved:
1999

Manufacturer:
Amgen Inc.

Marketer:
Johnson & Johnson

Status:
Black Box Warning

Approved Uses:
Anemia

Serious Side Effects:
Blood Clots
Heart Attacks
Stroke
Death

Common Misspellings:
Procret
Procrot