Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent
Epoetin beta
Brand names: NeoRecormon
Adult dose
Dose: Initial 20–60 units/kg SC 3× weekly; titrate to Hb 100–120 g/L
Route: SC / IV
Frequency: 3× weekly (or weekly per formulation)
Clinical pearls
- NICE TA323 (CKD anaemia); KDIGO 2012 anaemia guideline — target Hb 100–120 g/L
- Check iron status (TSAT >20%, ferritin >100) before/during ESA
- BSH MDS / chemo-induced anaemia guidance
Contraindications
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Pure red cell aplasia after ESA exposure
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
- Hypertension
- Thromboembolic events (especially Hb >120)
- Pure red cell aplasia (rare)
- Headache
- Hyperkalaemia
- Injection-site reactions
Interactions
- Iron deficiency reduces response — ensure repleted
Monitoring
- Hb (every 1–2 weeks initially)
- Iron studies
- BP
- K+
- Reticulocytes (PRCA suspicion)
Reference: BNF; NICE TA323; KDIGO 2012 anaemia guideline; BSH; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/epoetin-beta/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
- MAGGIC Heart Failure Risk Score · Heart Failure
- Long QT Syndrome (Schwartz Score) · Channelopathy / Sudden Cardiac Death
- C-Peptide to Glucose Ratio · Diabetes Classification
- International Staging System (ISS) for Multiple Myeloma · Multiple Myeloma
- Revised ISS (R-ISS) for Multiple Myeloma · Haematological Malignancy
- International Staging System for Multiple Myeloma (ISS) · Oncology
Drugs
Pathways
- Hyperkalaemia Management · UK Kidney Association Guidelines 2020; NICE CKD Guidelines
- Rhabdomyolysis · Renal Association 2018; UpToDate 2024
- Hypocalcaemia (Adult) · Society for Endocrinology
- SIADH (Endocrine Perspective) · European Hyponatraemia Guidelines 2014
- Hepatorenal Syndrome · EASL 2018; ICA 2015
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) · KDIGO 2012 / NICE AKI 2019