Alcohol and Epoetin alfa interaction
Alcohol and Epoetin alfa: the Epoetin alfa prescribing label flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Epoetin alfa (EPOGEN) label · effective 2026-06-23
…erythropoietin protein drugs [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Serious allergic reactions to Epogen [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Epogen from multiple-dose vials contains benzyl alcohol and is contraindicated in: Neonates, infants, pregnant women, and lactating women [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.2 , 8.4 )] .
Use of the multiple-dose vials containing benzyl alcohol in neonates, infants, pregnant women, and lactating women ( 4 )
Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions Due to Benzyl Alcohol Preservative Epogen from multiple-dose vials contains benzyl alcohol and is contraindicated for use in neonates, infants, pregnant women, and lactating women [ see Contraindications ( 4 ) ] .
Serious and fatal reactions including “gasping syndrome” can occur in neonates and infants treated with benzyl alcohol-preserved drugs, including Epogen multiple-dose vials.
In addition, do not mix Epogen with bacteriostatic saline (which also contains benzyl alcohol) when administering Epogen to these patient populations [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 )] .
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Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.