A Comparative Study of Efficacy and Safety of the Lyophilized Powder Alpha-Erythropoietin and the Liquid Form Alpha-Erythropoietin for Hemoglobin Maintenance in Patients with Hemodialysis Treatment

Bancha Satirapoj MD*, Ouppatham Supasyndh MD*, Panbubpa Choovichian MD*

Affiliation : * Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital and College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand

Background : Insufficient production of erythropoietin (EPO) is the primary cause of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The EPO treatment is an established treatment for renal anemia. The study investigated the therapeutic outcome between lyophilized powder and liquid form of EPO alpha by intravenous (IV) administration in hemoglobin maintenance of anemic treatment for CKD patients receiving hemodialysis. Material and Method: Forty patients were randomly assigned to either lyophilized powder of EPO alpha (treatment, n = 21) or liquid form of EPO alpha (control, n = 19) for 12 weeks by IV administration. The hemoglobin was maintained within the target range of 10.0 to 12.0 g/dL by adjusting the dosage of EPO. The clinical and biochemical profiles including transferrin saturation and ferritin were measured. Adverse events were documented.
Results : The mean hemoglobin of both groups at baseline was 11.20.6 g/dL. Mean hemoglobin and mean hematocrit levels at baseline, and follow-up data of both groups were not statistically different. The mean weekly dosage of EPO in the treatment and control groups had no statistical significance within the same group and between groups as well. Stable hemoglobin levels were maintained without EPO dosage adjustment in the majority of patients in both groups (treatment group, 90.5%, control group, 94.7%). During the 12-week study period, no serious side effect was detected.
Conclusion : The present study demonstrated that the lyophilized powder of EPO alpha was effective and safe as the standard liquid form of EPO alpha when it was administered by IV route in hemoglobin maintenance of anemia treatment.

Keywords : Anemia, Hemodialysis, Erythropoietin

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