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Epoetin-induced elevations in haemoglobin and haematocrit are maintained for up to 1 year

Haemoglobin concentrations and haematocrit values were significantly increased from baseline during treatment with IV epoetin 3 times/week for 3 months (average dose 75 U/kg) in 5 men with anaemia undergoing haemodialysis. Epoetin was administered immediately after completion of dialysis sessions. These values rapidly declined 3 months after treatment was discontinued but did not change significantly over the following 9 months; values remained significantly greater than baseline values. The volume of blood transfused during the year before epoetin treatment (358 ml/month) was significantly greater than that during the year after treatment (58 ml/month); no blood was transfused during epoetin therapy. '... From these preliminary results it fol/ows that revision of the protocol of dosage of EPO /epoetinj is mandatory. '

Kokot F. Wi~cek A. Grzeszczak W. Decreased need for blood transfusion during one year after discontinued erythropoietin treatment in hacmodialysed patients. Nephron 58: 246-247, Jun 1991 [Summarised from a leller to the Editor] 07"

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15 Jun 1991

INPHARMA®

ISSN 0156-1703/91/0615-0008/0$01.00/0

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