Recombinant erythropoietin for zidovudine-induced anemia in AIDS

Recombinant erythropoietin (Epogen, Amgen Pharmaceuticals; Procrit, Amgen Pharmaceuticals, distributed by Ortho Biotech) is approved for use in anemia associated with HIV infection and treatment. The recommended starting dose is 100 IU/kg iv or sc 3 times per week. Current evidence suggests that anemia in zidovudine-treated patients may be a result of insufficient quantities of erythropoietin, bone marrow unresponsiveness to the hormone, or HIV infection. Among patients receiving zidovudine, a review of the available data suggests that baseline serum erythropoietin concentrations may aid in predicting the response to exogenous hormone administration.