How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
-
1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
-
2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma®
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
-
3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
-
4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma® Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
-
5. Nursing Care Coordination If Needed
AmeriPharma® puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
-
6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
What Is Procrit?
Procrit (epoetin alfa) is a prescription injection used to treat anemia.
Red blood cells are the key players in anemia. Patients with anemia do not produce sufficient amounts of erythropoietin, a hormone naturally made in the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production. Procrit helps by stimulating the production of red blood cells just as erythropoietin would.
Procrit belongs to a family of medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA). ESA therapy can only be used in certain types of anemia, and it has been shown to improve a patient’s quality of life and symptoms. Patients should be closely monitored to prevent complications. Routine blood work is needed in order to prevent therapy complications.
What is Procrit Used to Treat?
Procrit is used to treat Anemia due to 3 conditions:
- Chronic kidney disease: Procrit should be initiated when hemoglobin levels are less than 10 g/dl for patients with chronic kidney disease. Procrit therapy should be stopped, or the dose should be reduced when hemoglobin exceeds 11 g/dl.
- Chemotherapy-induced anemia: Procrit should be initiated when hemoglobin levels are less than 10 g/dl and when at least 2 more chemotherapy cycles are anticipated. Procrit therapy should be stopped, or the dose should be reduced when hemoglobin exceeds 11 g/dl.
- Anemia due to Zidovudine use: Procrit should be initiated when hemoglobin is less than 11 g/dl for HIV patients on zidovudine and therapy should be stopped when hemoglobin exceeds 12 g/dl.
Procrit can also be used when a patient is undergoing surgery, and there will be an excessive amount of blood loss.
Procrit can be given as an intravenous infusion or as a subcutaneous injection. Usually, the intravenous route is preferred for patients on dialysis. Use of Procrit will lead to fewer red blood cell transfusions and improvement of symptoms. As mentioned above, hemoglobin levels and iron status should be monitored before initiation and during the use of Procrit.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Pharmacy alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
-
Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
-
One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
-
Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
Directions for Use
Procrit injections are available in clear single-dose and multi-dose vials. Dosing is determined by the physician according to the patient’s diagnosis and needs.
Procrit comes in single-dose vials in the following dosages: 2,000 units/ml, 3,000 units/ml, 4,000 units/ml, 10,000 units/ml, and 40,000 units/ml.
Multi-dose vials are available in 20,000 units/ 2 ml and 20,000 units/ml. Procrit multi-dose vials contain benzyl alcohol and should NOT be used for pregnant or lactating patients or infants.
Procrit products should be refrigerated. Vials should NOT be shaken, and if a vial is cloudy or frozen, it should be discarded.
Patients using subcutaneous injections should be instructed to always:
- Wash hands
- Administer Injections in parts of the body where there is fatty tissue such as:
- The abdomen (at least 2 inches away from the belly button)
- The outer area of the upper arms
- The front or middle of the thighs
- The upper outer area of the buttocks
- Wipe the skin with an alcohol pad and let it air dry
- Administer injections under the skin at a 45- or 90-degree angle
Procrit is contraindicated in patients:
- With high, uncontrolled blood pressure
- With a type of anemia called pure red cell aplasia (PRCA)
- With a lack of hemoglobin control and response to therapy
- Undergoing heart surgery
- With a past serious allergic reaction to Procrit
Procrit Side Effects
Common side effects include:
- Bone pain
- Joint or muscle pain
- Cough
- Rash
- Nausea or vomiting
- Soreness of mouth
- Headache
Serious side effects include:
- Increased risk of death
- Hypertension
- Seizures
- Increased risk of tumor progression
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318By submitting, you agree to AmeriPharma’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Notice of Privacy Practices