Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta
Generic name: Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta [ meth-OX-ee-pol-i-ETH-i-leen-GLY-kol-e-POE-e-tin-BAY-ta ]
Brand name: Mircera
Drug class: Recombinant human erythropoietins
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 31, 2024.
Warning
- This medicine may raise the chance of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, blood clots, and death. Talk with the doctor.
- People with some types of cancer have died sooner when using methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta. This medicine also raised the chance of tumor growth and the tumor happening again in these people. Talk with the doctor.
- Your doctor will need to watch your blood cell counts and follow you closely to change the dose to match your body's needs. Talk with your doctor.
Uses of Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta:
- It is used to treat anemia.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta?
- If you are allergic to methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta; any part of methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have high blood pressure.
- If you have a kind of anemia called Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA).
- If you have anemia caused by chemo or if you need a blood transfusion to treat anemia.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- If you will be having surgery, talk with your doctor. You may need to take another drug to keep you from getting blood clots while you get methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta.
- High blood pressure has happened with methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta while you are pregnant.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
How is this medicine (Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta) best taken?
Use methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh, belly area, or upper arm.
- It may be given as a shot into a vein.
- If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
- Keep using methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
- Do not shake.
- Do not use if it has been shaken.
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Do not mix with other liquids.
- This medicine is colorless to a faint yellow. Do not use if the solution changes color.
- Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
- Do not use methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta if it has been dropped or if it is broken.
- Do not use if it has been frozen.
- Throw syringe away after use. Do not use the same syringe more than one time.
- Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
Related/similar drugs
ferrous sulfate, FeroSul, epoetin alfa, Aranesp, Epogen
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Signs of high potassium levels like a heartbeat that does not feel normal; feeling confused; feeling weak, lightheaded, or dizzy; feeling like passing out; numbness or tingling; or shortness of breath.
- Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
- Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
- Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
- Cool or pale arm or leg.
- Dizziness or passing out.
- A fast heartbeat.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
- Seizures.
- Trouble walking.
- Change in balance.
- Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
- Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.
- A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
What are some other side effects of Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Diarrhea.
- Throwing up.
- Constipation.
- Nose and throat irritation.
- Signs of a common cold.
- Headache.
- Muscle spasm.
- Back pain.
- Belly pain.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta?
- Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
- Store in the original container to protect from light.
- If needed, you may store at room temperature for up to 30 days. If stored at room temperature and not used within 30 days, throw methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta away.
- Do not put methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta back in the refrigerator after it has been stored at room temperature.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta is refilled. If you have any questions about methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Biological Products Related to epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol
Find detailed information on biosimilars for this medication.
More about epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol
- Check interactions
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- Reviews (4)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: recombinant human erythropoietins
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
- Epoetin beta and methoxy polyethylene glycol drug information
- Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (Advanced Reading)
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