Clinical Study

Experience with Low Dose Intravenous and Subcutaneous Administration of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin
Lawrence P. McMahon, John K. Dawborn

Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia

Address of Corresponding Author

Am J Nephrol 1990;10:404-408 (DOI: 10.1159/000168156)

  Key Words

• Erythropoietin, low dose, subcutaneous

  Abstract

Twelve stable haemodialysis patients were divided into two groups and given recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) for 14 weeks either intravenously (i.v.) or subcutaneously (s.c). Dosage was 25 units/kg either thrice (i.v.) or twice (s.c.) per week for 7 weeks, and then 50 units/kg for a further 7 weeks. Response to s.c. therapy was comparable to i.v. despite a 33% lower weekly dosage, and was significant at both 7 (i.v.: 1.1 ± 0.3, mean ± SEM, p = 0.02; s.c: 0.8 ± 0.3 g/dl, p = 0.03) and 14 weeks (i.v.: 2.8 ± 0.5, p = 0.003; s.c: 2.6 ± 0.6 g/dl, p = 0.009). A correlation was observed between response to r-HuEPO and initial ferritin levels (r = 0.63, p = 0.04). One patient required an increase in antihypertensive medication and there was one arteriovenous fistula thrombosis. Results suggest that overall s.c. therapy is as effective as i.v. therapy, and that a good response with few side effects can be obtained using relatively low doses of r-HuEPO.

Copyright © 1990 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Lawrence P. McMahon, Renal Unit, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084 (Australia)

  Article Information

Received: January 26, 1990
Accepted: April 20, 1990
Published online: October 28, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 5