Retacrit is a laboratory-made form of erythropoietin, a substance naturally produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Erythropoietin (EPO) Analog: Retacrit is a synthetic version of erythropoietin.
- Mechanism of Action: It works by signaling the bone marrow to increase the production of red blood cells.
- Therapeutic Use: It's used to treat anemia, particularly in patients with:
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Undergoing chemotherapy.
- Taking certain medications that suppress red blood cell production.
- Classification: Retacrit is classified as both an antianemic and an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA).
- Other Names: Retacrit is also known as epoetin alfa. Other brand names for epoetin alfa include Epogen and Procrit. However, Retacrit is a specific brand name for epoetin alfa biosimilar.
- Biosimilar: Retacrit is a biosimilar to Epogen/Procrit, meaning it's highly similar to the original biologic drug but not identical due to the complexities of manufacturing biologic medications.
In summary, Retacrit is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) and an antianemic, specifically a biosimilar form of epoetin alfa used to treat anemia by stimulating red blood cell production.
