INDICES> Are eythropoeitin alpha and beta interchangeable?

[ycwong@brunet.bn]

INDICES>Are eythropoeitin alpha and beta interchangeable?
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[Rerouted from e-drug due to technical content; WB]

Dear E-Druggers,

could anyone perhaps help me out with this please?

Is erythropoeitin alpha or erythropoeitin beta interchangeable?, i.e.
if a patient is already on epoetin alpha, can they be switched to
epoetin beta and vice-versa, and or back again at anytime?

The British National Formulary states that the two preparation are
essentially equal in clinical efficacy but stated that prescribers (
in UK anyway) have to specify which form of epoetin their patient is
to receive.

I have asked the company sales representative and they are not very
conclusive in their reply, and only stated that studies have shown
slight differences in pharmacokinetics amongst the two forms.

Any information would be highly appreciated.

Wong Wai See
Senior Pharmacist
Dispensary & Clinical Services
Ministry of Health
Brunei Darussalam
ycwong@brunet.bn

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