Subcutaneous epoetin allows lower dose than IV
NEWS BRIEFS
Subcutaneous epoetin allows lower dose than IV
In a study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine1, patients on hemodialysis received an average weekly dose of epoetin that was 32% less than that for patients treated with IV epoetin.
The study was a randomized, unblinded trial conducted at 24 hemodialysis units at Veterans Affairs medical centers, and involved 208 patients receiving long-term hemodialysis and epoetin therapy with either subcutaneous or intravenous epoetin.
For purposes of the study, the epoetin dose was reduced until the hematocrit was below 30%, and then gradually increased to maintain the hematocrit level in the 30% to 33% range for 26 weeks.
Reference
1. Kaufman J, Reda D, Fye C, et al. Subcutaneous compared with intravenous epoetin in patients receiving hemodialysis. N Engl J Med 1998; 339:578-583.
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.