What is Anemia Injection?
Anemia injections are medications administered intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) to treat anemia, a condition characterized by a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells. Several types of anemia injections exist, each targeting different underlying causes. They are not a single type of injection, but rather a category encompassing various treatments.
Several injections treat different forms of anemia. These include:
-
Iron replacement injections: These address iron-deficiency anemia, where the body lacks sufficient iron to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Examples include:
- Ferric carboxymaltose: Used for adults and children (1 year+) with iron-deficiency anemia who cannot tolerate or haven't responded well to oral iron supplements. [Source: Ferric carboxymaltose injection is used to treat iron-deficiency anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells due to too little iron) in adults and children 1 year of age and older who cannot tolerate or who could not successfully be treated with iron supplements taken by mouth.15-Aug-2023]
- Iron dextran: Another iron replacement used to treat iron deficiency, including anemia resulting from blood loss. [Source: Iron dextran is an iron replacement product that is used to treat iron deficiency, such as anemia (not enough iron in the blood) or blood loss.]
- Injectafer: An intravenous iron replacement designed for slow iron release to potentially minimize side effects. [Source: Injectafer is an intravenous (IV) iron replacement product used to treat IDA.]
-
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs): These injections stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. A common example is:
- Epoetin alfa: Primarily used for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), whether or not they are undergoing dialysis. [Source: Epoetin injection is used to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who may or may not be on dialysis.]
- Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa): Also used to treat anemia in people with chronic kidney disease. [Source: This medication is used to treat anemia (low red blood cell count) in people with long-term serious kidney disease (chronic kidney failure) and people… ]
-
Vitamin B12 injections: These treat vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, often given as hydroxocobalamin. [Source: Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12, called hydroxocobalamin.]
Choosing the Right Anemia Injection
The type of anemia injection prescribed depends entirely on the underlying cause of the anemia. A doctor will diagnose the specific type of anemia and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Self-treating anemia is dangerous; always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
