Erythropoietin-Stimulating Agents for AIHA

Overview
Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) simulate erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Erythropoietin is secreted by the kidneys.

There are two ESAs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat anemia in people with chronic kidney disease or those who are undergoing chemotherapy. They are epoetin alfa (sold as Epogen and Procrit) and darbepoetin alfa, sold as Aranesp.

Synthetic erythropoietin is also used off-label for people with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Erythropoietin works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. In some people with AIHA, the use of erythropoietin may reduce the need for blood transfusion.

How do I take it?
ESAs are administered as a subcutaneous or intravenous injection.

Side effects
Common side effects of erythropoietin include nausea; vomiting; chest, bone, joint, and stomach pain; cough; weight loss; low blood count; skin rash; high blood sugar; insomnia; headache; depression; and bleeding.

Rare but serious side effects of erythropoietin include an increased risk of developing dangerous blood clots, heart attack, stroke, severe skin reactions, seizures, and hypertension.

For more details about this treatment, visit:
Erythropoietin-Stimulating Agents — Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/145...

Erythropoietin (EPO) — MacMillan Cancer Support
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information...

Efficacy of Recombinant Erythropoietin in Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: A Multicenter International Study — Haematologica
https://www.haematologica.org/article/view/9740