Epogen

Generic name: epoetin alfa

Used for: Anemia from chronic kidney disease · Anemia from chemotherapy · Anemia from zidovudine in people with HIV · Reducing the need for blood transfusions in some surgeries · 3 more

How do you pay?

How to pay the least

Ask for the cash price

Epogen

Epogen is a biologic. Biologics don’t have generics, but some have biosimilars or an unbranded version from the same maker. Ask your pharmacist or prescriber whether one is sold.

  1. Ask your pharmacy for Epogen’s cash price, and one or two other pharmacies too.

Compare every option

Question
Brand nameEpogen
Authorized genericepoetin alfa
Regular genericepoetin alfa
What you’d pay
Cash priceAsk the pharmacy
Not soldThere isn’t one
Not soldNone sold yet
Same as Epogen?
The original
–
–

Brand nameNo maker’s card

We didn’t find a savings card or cash price from Epogen’s maker. Ask the pharmacy for Epogen’s cash price. With insurance, ask what your plan charges.

Authorized genericNot sold

There isn’t one. An authorized generic is Epogen itself, from the same company, sold without the brand name, and usually for less. For now Epogen is the only choice; ask the pharmacy for its cash price, or your plan what it charges.

Regular genericNot sold

Epogen is a biologic. Biologics don’t have generics, but some have biosimilars or an unbranded version from the same maker. Ask your pharmacist or prescriber whether one is sold. Generics usually come once the brand’s patents and exclusivity end. Until then, ask the pharmacy for Epogen’s cash price, or your plan what it charges.

What it’s used for

What the FDA label says

Epogen is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) indicated for:

  • Treatment of anemia due to: - Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in patients on dialysis and not on dialysis. - Zidovudine in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. - The effects of concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and upon initiation, there is a minimum of two additional months of planned chemotherapy.
  • Reduction of allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in patients undergoing elective, noncardiac, nonvascular surgery.

Limitations of Use

Epogen has not been shown to improve quality of life, fatigue, or patient well-being.

Epogen is not indicated for use:

  • In patients with cancer receiving hormonal agents, biologic products, or radiotherapy, unless also receiving concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
  • In patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy when the anticipated outcome is cure.
  • In patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy in whom the anemia can be managed by transfusion.
  • In patients scheduled for surgery who are willing to donate autologous blood.
  • In patients undergoing cardiac or vascular surgery.
  • As a substitute for RBC transfusions in patients who require immediate correction of anemia.

Source: the FDA label for Epogen (Amgen, Inc), June 23, 2026. Full label on DailyMed 

Good to know

Prices change: confirm with the pharmacy before you fill. drugalt.com/drug/epogen/