Definition

A drug used to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease, some types of chemotherapy, and an antiviral drug for HIV infection called zidovudine. It is also used to lower the number of donor blood transfusions needed during and after certain types of surgery. Epoetin alfa is a form of erythropoietin (a substance naturally made by the kidneys) that is made in the laboratory. It helps the bone marrow make more red blood cells. Epoetin alfa is a type of antianemic and a type of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent. Also called Epogen, Procrit, and Retacrit.