Final answer:
Epoetin is used to increase hemoglobin levels, which is the desired therapeutic effect in treating anemia, especially in patients with kidney failure. It carries risks such as increased blood viscosity leading to cardiovascular issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The desired therapeutic effect of epoetin (a synthetic form of erythropoietin), when used in patients with kidney failure, is to increase hemoglobin levels (HGB) and thereby elevate the erythrocyte count. This drug works by stimulating red blood cell production in the bone marrow, thus addressing the anemia often seen in renal failure due to the lack of EPO production by the kidneys. One of the hazards of epoetin usage, especially when used inappropriately for performance enhancement in sports, is an increase in blood viscosity that can lead to serious cardiovascular complications.