Erythropoietin

Other Names

• EPO

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General

• Used by endurance athletes such as long distance runners and cyclists to increase maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max).
• Increases oxygen carrying capacity by increasing Hgb and Hct levels.

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Medical Indications

• Treatment of anemia secondary to:
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Zidovudine
  • Chemotherapy

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Adverse Reactions

• Myocardial infarction
• Stroke
• Pulmonary embolism
• Venous thromboembolism

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Pharmacology

• Activates JAK2 signaling cascade via binding to erythropoietin receptor. This leads to proliferation of the erythroid cell and increased hemoglobin and hematocrit.
  • Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit increases oxygen carrying capacity.

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WADA Considerations

• EPO has been banned by WADA since the early 1990s.

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Testing

• Testing began at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia in 2000.
• Testing can be done via blood or urine.
• Testing validity was supported by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
  • Support for the test was reiterated by the WADA Laboratory Committee in September, 2005.

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See Also

• Drugs of Abuse (Main)

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