II. Indications
- Illicit use by athletes as ergonomic aid (banned)
-
Anemia
-
Chronic Renal Failure
- Indicated to maintain Hemoglobin 10-12 mg/dl
- Decreases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
- Increases quality of life
- Cancer Chemotherapy
- Indicated to maintain Hemoglobin >10 g/dl
- Contraindicated if serum Erythropoietin >200 mU/ml
- Increases Hemoglobin 2 g/dl
- Decreases transfusion need
- Increases quality of life
- Does not improve survival or delay disease progress
-
Anemia secondary to HIV Management (e.g. Zidovudine)
- Contraindicated if serum Erythropoietin >500 mU/ml
- Increases quality of life (e.g. Energy)
- Prolongs AIDS survival
- Prophylaxis before elective surgery (non-cardiac)
- Indicated before surgery where transfusion is otherwise predicted
- Other possible indications (covered by Medicare)
-
Chronic Renal Failure
III. Adverse effects
- Hypertension (25% of Renal Failure patients)
- Thrombotic events (e.g. Myocardial Infarction)
- May promote growth of certain Breast Cancers
IV. Disadvantages
- See adverse effects above
- Cost: $3000 for 8 week cancer course
V. References
- (2001) Med Lett Drugs Ther 43(1104):40-1 [PubMed]
- (2001) Am J Kidney Dis 37(suppl 1):S182 [PubMed]
- Andrade (1996) Am J Orthop 25:533 [PubMed]
- Demetri (1998) J Clin Oncol 16:3412 [PubMed]
- Henry (1992) Ann Intern Med 117:739 [PubMed]
- Moore (1999) Clin Infect Dis 29:44 [PubMed]
- Tsakiris (2000) Nephron 85(suppl 1):2 [PubMed]