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Shanpoetin
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Shanpoetin is a biogenic stimulant, i.e. it is of plant origin and is used to treat severe, moderate and mild forms of anemia (low hemoglobin).
Indications Shanpoetin
Shanpoetin is prescribed for low hemoglobin, which is associated with chronic renal failure in adult patients and children who undergo an artificial procedure to cleanse the body of toxic substances and excess fluid (dialysis). The drug is also used to treat anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and who cannot undergo blood transfusions due to health reasons.
The drug is used to raise hemoglobin in HIV-infected patients and in mild to moderate anemia, both in adults and children, and also when necessary before major surgery.
Release form
Shanpoetin is available as a solution in syringes, transparent or slightly cloudy, colorless. The drug is available in one syringe in a cardboard package.
Pharmacodynamics
The main substance of Shanpoetin is epoetin-alpha (complex proteins that increase the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow). Epoetin-alpha is produced in mammalian cells with a specific gene that codes for the hormone human erythropoietin.
In its amino acid composition, epoetin-alpha is practically no different from the human hormone erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is excreted in the urine of patients with anemia.
Erythropoietin is a complex protein that stimulates cell division and is also a hormone that promotes the formation of white blood cells in the human body.
Epoetin-alpha does not differ in its biological effects from erythropoietin. After administration of the drug, the level of red blood cells, reticulocytes (red blood cell precursors), hemoglobin increases and the rate of iron absorption increases. Using human bone marrow cells, scientists have found that epoetin-alpha selectively increases the production of red blood cells and does not affect the process of formation of white blood cells. No damaging effect on bone marrow cells has been identified.
Pharmacokinetics
When administered intravenously, Shanpoetin has a half-life in the body of 4–6 hours.
After subcutaneous administration of the drug, the level of the active substance in the plasma is much lower than when the drug is administered intravenously. The concentration in the plasma gradually increases and reaches its maximum limit in about 12-18 hours, the half-life is about 24 hours. With subcutaneous administration, the body absorbs the drug by about 20%.
Dosing and administration
In chronic renal failure, Shanpoetin should be administered intravenously. The dosage of Shanpoetin is 50 IU/kg. During the correction period, the dosage can be increased if hemoglobin does not increase by at least 1 g/dl per month.
In case of renal failure and cardiac ischemia, it is necessary to monitor the hemoglobin level and ensure that it does not exceed the upper limit of the maximum level (after reaching the maximum upper limit, the dosage of the drug is reduced).
During the treatment of adult patients, as well as children who are undergoing artificial purification of blood from toxic products, the drug is administered intravenously, and the treatment is divided into two stages:
- Correction (50 IU/kg, 3 times a week, it is also possible to gradually increase the dose if necessary);
- Maintenance phase (reducing the dosage to maintain hemoglobin levels at an optimal level).
In case of oncological pathologies, the drug is administered subcutaneously.
In case of extremely low hemoglobin levels in patients after chemotherapy, the initial dosage may be at the level of 150 IU/kg 3 times a week, then, taking into account the hemoglobin level (increased or remained at the same level), the specialist can adjust the dosage (lower or increase the dose accordingly).
In the treatment of patients with HIV infection, two stages are also used: corrective and maintenance. Treatment begins with 100 IU/kg three times a week, the course of treatment is two months. If after this, hemoglobin remains at the same level, or has increased slightly, the dosage can be increased to 300 IU/kg. If after this there is no positive dynamics in the treatment, then further increase in the dose will be ineffective.
When treating patients participating in autodonation, before major surgeries, the drug is administered intravenously in the amount of 300 IU/kg 3 times a week, for a three-week course, then the dosage is adjusted. Before conducting Shanpoetin therapy, it is necessary to take into account the existing contraindications regarding the collection of autologous blood.
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Use Shanpoetin during pregnancy
Shanpoetin is used in pregnant women only as prescribed by a doctor when the benefits of treatment for the woman outweigh the possible risks to the fetus. There is no data on whether erythropoietin-alpha can penetrate into breast milk.
Contraindications
Patients who develop true red cell aplasia as a result of treatment with any form of erythropoietin should not receive Shantpoetin.
Shanpoetin is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account all contraindications that exist in the out-donation program (persons from whom their blood is taken for subsequent transfusion into them) and those patients who are scheduled for surgery of the musculoskeletal system (not participating in out-donation).
The use of Shanpoetin is not used in severe carotid, cerebrovascular, peripheral arterial, etc. diseases, in particular in patients who have recently suffered a cerebrovascular crisis or myocardial infarction, as well as in cases where the patient is contraindicated for certain reasons to use antithrombotic prophylaxis.
Side effects Shanpoetin
At the first stage of treatment with Shanpoetin, signs of a cold may appear (dizziness, weakness, headaches and muscle pain, etc.).
Chronic renal failure usually causes an increase in blood pressure. Hypertensive crises sometimes occur, as well as headaches, confusion, cramps of the trunk or limbs.
In rare cases, thrombocytosis developed.
It is possible (extremely rare) that thrombotic vascular complications may develop (myocardial ischemia or infarction, stroke, varicose veins, etc.). However, there is no precisely established connection between the use of Shanpoetin and the development of these complications.
The risk of shunt thrombosis exists in patients with a tendency to high blood pressure, varicose veins, and stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels).
In chronic renal failure, after prolonged treatment with erythropoietins, the development of erythrocyte aplasia (red cell) is possible.
During treatment with Shanpoetin, rash, itching, swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissue may occur.
Complications that impair respiratory function or cause a decrease in blood pressure develop extremely rarely. The development of various immune reactions to epoetin-alpha is practically excluded.
When administering Shanpoetin, local reactions may occur (usually at the injection site); with subcutaneous administration, such reactions develop more often than with intravenous administration.
In chronic renal failure, the level of uric acid and creatinine in the blood may increase, and the concentration of potassium and phosphorus in the blood serum may increase.
Overdose
In case of overdose of Shanpoetin, the pharmacological effects of the drug may reach the maximum therapeutic manifestation. In case of increased hemoglobin, phlebotomy (bleeding) may be required, and symptomatic treatment is also carried out.
Interactions with other drugs
There is no evidence that Shanpoetin can affect the therapeutic effect of other drugs.
However, cyclosporine binds to red blood cells, so there is a possibility of interaction between the two drugs. When treating simultaneously with Shanpoetin and cyclosporine, it is necessary to monitor the level of cyclosporine in the blood and adjust the dosage if necessary.
Storage conditions
Shanpoetin should be stored at a temperature of 2 to 8 0 C, in a dark place and out of reach of children. The drug should not be shaken or frozen.
Shelf life
The shelf life of Shanpoetin is two years from the date of manufacture indicated on the package.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Shanpoetin" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.