Which medication is used to treat anemia due to zidovudine use?

Which medication is used to treat anemia due to zidovudine use?

• A. Epoetin alfa
• B. Filgrastim
• C. Abciximab
• D. Clopidogrel

Answer: (A)

Zidovudine can suppress the bone marrow and lower red blood cell production, leading to anemia. Epoetin alfa, a synthetic form of erythropoietin, stimulates the bone marrow to make more red blood cells, directly addressing this deficiency. As a result, hemoglobin and hematocrit rise over time and symptoms improve. In practice, this may be used when the anemia is significant or persistent, sometimes alongside adjusting the antiretroviral regimen to reduce marrow suppression. Filgrastim boosts neutrophils, not red cells, while Abciximab and Clopidogrel are antiplatelet drugs and do not treat anemia.

Zidovudine can suppress the bone marrow and lower red blood cell production, leading to anemia. Epoetin alfa, a synthetic form of erythropoietin, stimulates the bone marrow to make more red blood cells, directly addressing this deficiency. As a result, hemoglobin and hematocrit rise over time and symptoms improve. In practice, this may be used when the anemia is significant or persistent, sometimes alongside adjusting the antiretroviral regimen to reduce marrow suppression.

Filgrastim boosts neutrophils, not red cells, while Abciximab and Clopidogrel are antiplatelet drugs and do not treat anemia.