Final answer:
Epoetin alfa (Procrit) is used to treat anemia by stimulating red blood cell production but must be monitored due to risks of polycythemia. Patients on hemodialysis require frequent treatments because their kidneys can't adequately filter waste. Epoetin alfa's misuse in sports for blood doping led to notable scandals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Epoetin Alfa Administration for Anemia Treatment
Epoetin alfa (Procrit) is a synthetic version of erythropoietin (EPO) and is used to treat anemia in various conditions, including renal failure and cancer treatments. The kidneys normally produce EPO in response to low oxygen levels in the blood, and this hormone stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells (RBCs). When administered subcutaneously, epoetin alfa works by artificially stimulating RBC production. However, its use has to be carefully monitored as it can induce polycythemia, an abnormal increase in RBCs, which can raise hematocrit levels dangerously high, increasing the viscosity of the blood and potentially causing severe health issues.
The reason that patients undergoing hemodialysis need to have this procedure frequently, usually a few times a week, is because their kidneys are unable to filter waste effectively due to dysfunction or failure. Without regular dialysis, toxins and fluids build up in the body, which can be life-threatening.
While synthetic EPO has medical uses, it has also been misused for blood doping in sports to enhance performance, as increased RBC count can improve oxygen delivery to muscles. This practice is illegal and unethical in sports, as highlighted by the instance of Lance Armstrong being stripped of his Tour de France titles for blood doping.