Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent, commonly abbreviated ESA, an agent similar to the cytokine (erythropoietin) that stimulates red blood cell production (erythropoeisis). ESAs, structurally and biologically, are similar to naturally occurring protein erythropoietin.


 * Erythropoietin (Epo)
 * Epoetin alfa (Procrit/Epogen)
 * Epoetin beta (NeoRecormon)
 * Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)
 * Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (Mircera)

Indications
Physicians prescribe ESAs to maintain hemoglobin at the lowest level that both minimizes transfusions and best meets individual patient needs. Medical speciality professional organizations do not recommend the use of ESAs to chronic kidney disease patients who do not have hemoglobin levels greater than 10 g/dL and do not have anemia symptoms.