Erythropoietin

Key points

• Erythropoietin is a haematopoietic growth factor that stimulates the production of erythrocytes. Erythropoietin is secreted by the kidney in response to cellular hypoxia.
• accelerated hypertension potentially leading to encephalopathy and seizures (blood pressure increases in 25% of patients)
• flu-like symptoms
• skin rashes, urticaria
• pure red cell aplasia* (due to antibodies against erythropoietin)
• raised PCV increases risk of thrombosis (e.g. Fistula)