Epoetin alfa Injection and Maprotiline Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: epoetin alfa
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Epogen, Procrit, Retacrit

Epoetin injection is a man-made version of human erythropoietin (EPO). EPO is produced naturally in the body, mostly by the kidneys. It stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. If the body does not produce enough EPO, severe anemia can occur. This often occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease whose kidneys are not working properly. Epoetin is used to treat severe anemia in patients on kidney dialysis or for those not on dialysis.

Epoetin may also be used to prevent or treat anemia that is caused by surgery or medicines (eg, zidovudine) that are used for other conditions, such as HIV or cancer.

Epoetin alfa is available only with your doctor's prescription.

• Generic Name: maprotiline
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Ludiomil

Management of depressive disorders, including dysthymic disorder (depressive neurosis) and major depressive disorder.

Management of anxiety associated with depression.

Bipolar Disorder

Has been used for the management of acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.

However, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) currently does not recommend antidepressant monotherapy for the management of acute depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder to avoid precipitation of hypomania or manic episodes. When antidepressants are used in combination with first-line therapies (e.g., lithium, lamotrigine) in patients with bipolar disorder, antidepressants other than TCAs (e.g., bupropion, SSRIs, venlafaxine) generally are preferred.