How Should You Use Epogen (Injection)

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given.
• An intravenous (in-tra-VEEN-us) or IV injection is given through a tube put in one of your veins, usually in your arm, wrist, hand, or sometimes in your chest.
• A subcutaneous (sub-kyoo-TANE-ee-us) or SC injection is a shot given just under your skin, usually on the back of your arm or the top of your thigh, or on your stomach.
• A nurse or other caregiver trained to give injections will give your treatment.
• Sometimes you or a family member can be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection.
• Always wipe the top of the epoetin bottle with an alcohol pad before each use.
• Do not shake the bottle, and You should not use the medicine if you see specks or solid pieces inside the bottle.
• Stick the needle into the rubber stopper at the top of the bottle. With the needle still stuck in the bottle, turn the bottle upside down and hold it at eye level.
• Pull the plunger until it lines up with the number of your dose on the side of the syringe.
• Gently tap the syringe with your finger to make any air bubbles float to the top of the syringe, just under the needle. Push the plunger in just enough so that the air bubbles go up into the bottle, and pull enough epoetin back down into the syringe to make the correct dose.
• Inject your medicine in a different place on your body each time.
• Use a new syringe each time you give yourself an injection. You should not use a needle and syringe more than one time.
If a dose is missed:
• Use the missed dose as soon as possible, unless you are a day late.
• If you are more than a day late, call your doctor.
• You should not use two doses at the same time.