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Overview: Mircera is used to treat anemia. Common side effects include diarrhea and pain or swelling in the nose or throat. Serious side effects are rare but include blood clots, seizures, and severe skin reactions. Mircera is an injection that may be given under your skin by either you, your caregiver, or your health care provider.

Uses

What is Mircera used for?

Mircera (methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta) is commonly used to treat anemia due to chronic kidney disease.

Mircera may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Mircera work (mechanism of action)?

Mircera is a hormone that tells your body to make more red blood cells.

How is Mircera supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Mircera

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 30 mcg/0.3 mL, 50 mcg/0.3 mL, 75 mcg/0.3 mL, 100 mcg/0.3 mL, 120 mcg/0.3 mL, 150 mcg/0.3 mL, 200 mcg/0.3 mL, and 250 mcg/0.3 mL solution in single-dose prefilled syringes
  • 360 mcg/0.6 mL solution in single-dose prefilled syringes

How should I store Mircera?

Mircera should be stored in the refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Keep it in the carton it comes in to protect the medicine from light. Do not freeze or shake.

Mircera can be stored at room temperature, up to 77 F (25 C), in its original carton, for up to 30 days. After this time, throw the medicine away.

Use prefilled syringes one time. Throw away any medicine that is left after a dose is given.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Mircera?

The most common side effects of Mircera are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea
  • Pain or swelling in the nose or throat

There may be other side effects of Mircera that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Mircera?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Mircera are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Mircera may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Mircera and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Mircera may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Keep all appointments to have your blood pressure checked and follow any health care provider instructions about your blood pressure. Call your health care provider if your blood pressure increases while using this medicine.

Seizures. Some people who have used Mircera have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop using Mircera and call your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Severe Skin Reactions. Mircera can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, stop Mircera and call your health care provider right away. Stop using Mircera and get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Blood Clots. Mircera may cause blood clots in your arteries or veins and could cause a stroke, heart attack, or venous thromboembolism, including a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), deep venous thrombosis, or a blood clot in your dialysis access site. Stop using Mircera and get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of blood clots.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
  • Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg
  • Vision loss
  • Bulging eyes 
  • Double vision
  • Your dialysis access site no longer works

Heart Failure. Micera may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Anemia. Mircera may cause pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), a condition that can lead to severe anemia. This can happen if your body makes antibodies to Mircera, which can reduce your body’s ability to make red blood cells. People with chronic kidney disease who get Mircera injected under the skin may be at higher risk. You may also have low levels of other types of blood cells. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of anemia.

  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Shortness of breath

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Mircera?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Mircera.

  • Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta
  • Mircera
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Mircera.

High Blood Pressure. Mircera should not be used if you have high blood pressure that is not controlled, such as with medicines.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA). Mircera should not be used if you have or have had pure red cell aplasia due to treatment with Mircera or a similar medicine.

What should I know about Mircera before using it?

Do not use Mircera unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. Always use a new needle or prefilled syringe. Reuse of needles or syringes may increase your risk for infection. 

Do not share Mircera with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Mircera out of the reach of children. Since this medicine should be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Do not use Mircera that has been frozen or shaken.

This medicine is injected into a blood vessel or under the skin. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly prepare and use Mircera. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

When used to treat anemia related to cancer, this medication may also increase the risk of death or cause your tumor to grow faster. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Mircera?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Mircera is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems
  • High blood pressure
  • A history of stroke
  • Seizures
  • Dialysis treatment
  • Planned surgery
  • Cancer

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Mircera could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Mircera while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Mircera passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Mircera while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Mircera?

For more information about Mircera, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.cslvifor.us/patients or call them at 800-576-8295.

Interactions

Does Mircera interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Mircera and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Mircera.

Does Mircera interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Mircera may interact with certain medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Mircera?

If you or someone else has used too much Mircera, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Mircera?

If you miss a dose, call your health care provider right away. They can tell you what to do.