214 In the index

EPO EPO

An approved hormone (erythropoietin) used to treat anemia from kidney disease or chemotherapy by boosting red blood cell production. It's well proven for that medical use, but its well-known use as a blood-doping agent in endurance sports carries a real risk of dangerous blood clots and stroke from blood becoming too thick.

Also known as Epoetin alfa

Effects Endurance

Routes Injectable Subcutaneous

Legal status Prescription drug

WADA Banned at all times

Reported dosing

Approved label

What has been reported in the literature and by users. This is a record of what is done, not a recommendation.

Typical dose Not established for non-medical use; a banned doping agent

Reported range Clinical (anemia) dosing: 50-100 units/kg, 3 times weekly; doping doses reported far more variable and unsupervised

Route Subcutaneous or IV injection

Frequency 3 times weekly (clinical) or variable (doping use)

Duration Chronic (clinical use, monitored) or short cycles (doping use)

FDA-approved for anemia under medical supervision (e.g., Epogen); banned by WADA in endurance sports, where unsupervised use has been linked to dangerously thickened blood and stroke/clotting risk.

Where this comes from FDA prescribing information; anti-doping literature

These figures are recorded for reference and are not a recommendation. Dosing is a decision for you and a clinician.