Wednesday, February 11, 2009

History of Epogen

In the 1980s, it was realized that Epogen could make a significant difference in the hematocrit when administered to patients with anemia. This was followed up by its use to treat anemia in cancer patients and HIV patients treated with Zidovudine. Epogen is only administered 1-2 times a week to maintain a normal hematocrit. While many advocate that EPO should be given for other anemias, the overall consensus is that not only is EPO expensive but it may be more harmful when given empirically for other medical disorders.

EPO has been around for at least 3 decades and has been widely used in millions of individuals. It's safety and efficacy have been well documented. It is mainly used to treat anemia in patients who have chronic renal failure. When Epogen is administered, the body starts to make red blood cells and this can be monitored by measuring the hemoglobin or hematocrit levels.

Numerous studies have shown that Epogen can reduce the need for blood transfusions. Because of its expense, EPO is not given to every patient. Only after appropriate evaluation and consultation is EPO given to certain patients

For more information on EPO, visit www.steroidsrx.com

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