Drug reference
epoetin alpha
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent · Haematinic
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agentHaematinicATC B03XA01
CDSCO approvedATC B03XA01
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
—
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
C
FDA category + note
Mechanism
Binds to specific receptors on erythroid progenitor cells, stimulating proliferation, hemoglobin formation, erythroblast maturation, and release of reticulocytes into circulation.
Indications
Anaemia of chronic renal failure (Hb ≤ 8 g/dl)Anaemia in AIDS patients treated with zidovudineCancer chemotherapy induced anaemiaPreoperative increased blood production for autologous transfusion during surgery
Dosing
- Adult
- 25–100 U/kg s.c. or i.v. 3 times a week (max. 600 U/kg/week). Start with low dose and titrate to keep haematocrit between 30–36%, and Hb 10–11 g/dl (max 12 g/dl).
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
6–10 hr (plasma)
Contraindications
- Patients with Hb level raised to normal (13.5 g/dl) due to higher mortality risk
Side effects
Common
Flu like symptoms (lasting 2–4 hr)increased clot formation in A-V shunts (in dialysis patients)hypertensive episodes
Serious
- serious thromboembolic events
- seizures
- higher mortality if Hb level raised to normal (13.5 g/dl)
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
C
Related guidelines
Blood transfusion in obstetrics and gynaecology
FOGSI · Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2024
Preoperative cardiac evaluation for non-cardiac surgery
AHA · Cardiology · 2025
Breast cancer
ICMR · Oncology · 2022
Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy
FOGSI · Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2017
Breast cancer
ESMO · Oncology · 2024
Other Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent drugs
Ask House about epoetin alpha
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Sources: KD Tripathi 7e·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team