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
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MBBS (UWA) CCPU Emergency Medicine Trainee with interests in medical education, ECG interpretation, and the use of point-of-care ultrasound in the undifferentiated patient. Co-author of the LITFL ECG Library | Twitter |