Table 7 Side effects and concomitant symptoms of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents
From: 2015 Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy: Guidelines for Renal Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease
Item | Factor | |
|---|---|---|
Side effects that are supported by substantial evidence in the literature | ||
 1. Hypertension | • Blood pressure may increase because of direct or indirect effects of ESAs. | |
 2. Thromboembolism | • The incidence of thromboembolism may increase in patients with CVD complication because of the excessive improvement in anemia (normalization of Hb level). | |
• An increase in the incidence of thrombosis was reported in cancer patients treated with ESAs. | ||
 3. Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) | • PRCA develops as a result of the appearance of anti-EPO antibodies. | |
Side effects that are considered to be caused by ESA administration in addition to those listed above | ||
 1. Increases in extracorporeal circulating residual blood volume and the required dose of anticoagulant | • These may result from the increase in blood viscosity associated with the excessive improvement in anemia. | |
 2. Onset and development of solid cancer | • The results of basic research showed the association of ESAs with the onset and development of cancer. | |