HEMATOLOGY

Hematopoietic Agents for the treatment of Anemias

HEMATOPOIETIC
AGENT

COMMON USES

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW AS A BRAND NEW

NURSE

Ferrous Sulfate

Indicated for the treatment if

iron deficiency anemia

*Oral route for administration.

* Most common adverse effects include GI complaints: nausea,
epigastric pain, constipation, tarry stools. Serious adverse effects
include seizures and anaphylaxis.
* Do not give with dairy products, antacids or tetracyclines due to
decreased absorption.
* Administration with Vitamin C helps to promote absorption of
iron.
* Taking at bedtime helps to decrease GI effects
* Liquid preparations stain the teeth, dilute or administer with a
straw.
* Therapy generally indicated for several months with follow-up
lab at 4 weeks and 3 months.

Used when oral iron is not an

option for the treatment of
iron deficiency anemia.

* IM/IV administration, IM/IV test dose required before

administration. If no reaction in one hour after test dose, may give
remainder of dose.
* IM route use Z-track technique to prevent brown skin
discoloration at injection site.
* Contraindicated in patients with acute renal disease or active
infections
* Serious adverse effects more commonly seen with IV
administration include: anaphylaxis, coma, fatal cardiac
arrhythmias and circulatory collapse. Monitor patient for HA,
backache, fever, chills, difficulty breathing, N&V, pain at injection
site and skin rash.

Common examples: Ferosol, Slow

FE

Ferrous Fumarate
Common examples: Femiron

Ferrous Gluconate
Common examples: Fergon

Iron Dextran
Common examples: Dexferrum,
Imfed

Vitamin B12
Cyanocobalamin
Common examples: Anacobin,
Nascobal

Folic Acid, Vitamin B9

(Folate)
Common examples:

Folacin

ErythropoetinStimulating Agents (ESAs)

Common examples: (Epoetin
alfa)Procrit, (Darbepoetin alfa)
Aranesp

Indicated for the treatment of

megaloblastic anemias including
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia,
also known as Pernicious
Anemia.

* IM, Subq or nasal routes of administration. Oral route generally

ineffective.
* Life-long treatment is required for Pernicious anemia.
* Generally non-toxic and large doses must be ingested to produce
adverse effects, which include: fever, diarrhea, pruritis, flushing,
and itching, rash or pain at injection site. More serious adverse
effects include: Cardiac failure, thrombosis, optic nerve atrophy
and pulmonary edema.
* Contraindicated with Lebers disease and known allergies to
cobalt.

Indicated for the treatment of

megaloblastic anemias
asoociated with folic acid
deficiency. Also indicated
during pregnancy to prevent
neural tube defects in the
fetus.

* May be given orally, IV, IM or Subq.

* Adverse effects are rare but include allergic bronchospasm, rash,
pruritus, erythemas, general malaise and anaphylaxis.
* May cause urine to turn darker yellow

Indicated for anemias

associated with chronic renal
failure, HIV infection,
chemotherapy, and to
decrease the need for blood
transfusions in surgical
patients.

* May be given IV or Subq.

* Monitor hemoglobin. Target hemoglobin should never exceed
12g/dl
* Adverse effects rare but include: hypertension, HA, fever,
muscle aches, flushing, seizures and bone pain
* Monitor BP.
* Only use one dose per vial
* Do not shake solution, it can cause the glycoprotein to denature.