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What is RETACRIT?

What is RETACRIT?

RETACRIT is a prescription medicine used to treat anemia. People with anemia have a lower-than-normal number of RBCs. RETACRIT works like the human protein called erythropoietin to help your body make more RBCs. RETACRIT is used to reduce or avoid the need for RBC transfusions.

RETACRIT may be used to treat anemia if it is caused by:

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Chronic kidney disease (you may or may not be on dialysis).
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Chemotherapy that will be used for at least two months after starting RETACRIT.
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A medicine called zidovudine (AZT) used to treat HIV infection.

RETACRIT may also be used to reduce the chance you will need RBC transfusions if you are scheduled for certain surgeries where a lot of blood loss is expected.

If your hemoglobin level stays too high or if your hemoglobin goes up too quickly, this may lead to serious health problems which may result in death. These serious health problems may happen if you take RETACRIT, even if you do not have an increase in your hemoglobin level.

RETACRIT has not been proven to improve quality of life, fatigue, or well-being.

RETACRIT should not be used for treatment of anemia:

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If you have cancer and you will not be receiving chemotherapy that may cause anemia.
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If you have a cancer that has a high chance of being cured. Talk with your healthcare provider about the kind of cancer you have.
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If your anemia caused by chemotherapy treatment can be managed by RBC transfusion.
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In place of emergency treatment for anemia (RBC transfusions).

RETACRIT should not be used to reduce the chance you will need RBC transfusions if:

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You are scheduled for surgery on your heart or blood vessels.
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You are able and willing to donate blood prior to surgery.

It is not known if RETACRIT is safe and effective in treating anemia in children less than 1 month old who have chronic kidney disease and in children less than 5 years old who have anemia caused by chemotherapy.

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