Pharm 101: Erythropoietin

Class

Haematopoietic growth factor

Pharmacodynamics

• Glycoprotein produced primarily by kidney
• Production:
  • Interstitial cells in peritubular capillary bed of kidney (85%)
  • Perivenous hepatocytes in liver (15%)
  • Also brain, uterus, oviducts
• Causes:
  • Proliferation and differentiation of RBC precursors
  • Release of reticulocytes from bone marrow
• Takes 2-3 days for effects to take place

Pharmacokinetics

• Half-life 4-13 hours after IV administration in chronic renal failure

Clinical uses

• Anaemia secondary to chronic kidney disease
• Reduce need for RBC transfusion in patients with marrow failure states:
  • Aplastic anaemia
  • Myeloproliferative disroders
  • AIDS

Adverse effects

• Toxicity is mainly related to rapid Hb rise:
  • Hypertension
  • Thrombosis
• Allergic reactions are infrequent and mild

References

• Katzung BG. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 14e. 2018