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I was about to stick this in a reply to a question about epogen on this page, but this drug question pops up on the board from time to time, so I thought put out an informational thread instead. I would also be real interested in hearing from EPO users out there about their personal experiences. I value anecdotal evidence from board members.
EPO is an injectable protein hormone that acts on bone marrow to stimulate red blood cell production. This is a drug which is used by elite athletes, especially distance runners and elite cyclists. It was developed for patients suffering anemia due to disease. It has been very effective for what it is designed for and sometimes is used as a replacement for blood transfusions. Athletes use this drug to dramatically increase red blood cells which are the oxygen carrying components of blood. Athletes are well aware that if they can increase the oxygen-storing ability of their blood they can increase performance. This is the theory behind blood doping. EPO does the same thing but is more convenient considering the use of EPO just requires a number of injections. Blood doping requires drawing out approximately a liter of blood, freezing it, then thawing it and reinfusing it several weeks later. Unfortunately, EPO has some serious dangers associated with it. It is suspected to be the cause of over half a dozen deaths amongst a circle of elite Dutch cyclists. EPO has a dramatic effect on hematocrit which is the percentage of red blood cells in blood. A hematocrit of 40 means that 40% of the volume of blood is composed of red blood cells which is about normal. Athletes not uncommonly have a higher-than-average hematocrit. When an athlete injects EPO, hematocrit can rise as much as 40%. This results in an especially high concentration of RBCS. The danger sets in when this hematocrit level gets too high. At this point, blood could literally 'clog up' an artery leading to a vascular disaster in the form of a heart attack stroke, cardiac failure, or a condition called pulmonary edema; this is a form of water logging of the lungs because of left ventricular failure. The potential for arterial accidents becomes even greater when an athlete gets dehydrated. Obviously, marathon runners and cyclists lose large amounts of fluid during competition. This loss of fluid can raise the concentration of hematocrit even more, increasing the risk of a fatality.
EPO works by stimulating the bone marrow production of red blood cells, is injected sub-cutaneously with an insulin syringe, is usually injected 2 or 3 times a week, and requires about 2 weeks to become noticeably effective. Doses are highly dependant on body mass and purpose for use.
Despite the dangers, Epogen/Procrit is almost universal in it's use by pro cyclists. Speed/endurance athletes have also taken to the drug in droves.
EPO is becoming much more common in strength training and is is used by bodybuilders pre-contest to impart a fullness to the appearance of the muscle.
Like anything else we use, it is dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced, not a huge deal if taken correctly after thorough research. I'm living proof of that.
Unfortunately, this drug is now widely counterfeited and has been subject of several FDA alerts. (the counterfeit contains the protein, but at only 1/20 the concentration). Also out there are "animal" versions used for greyhounds and racehorses and not compatible with humans. A euro cycling team was recently busted with EPO, and were not even aware they had the doggy version....and they are "experts".
Bottom line......if you aren't among the world's top competitors in pro track, cycling, speedskating, powerlifting or bodybuilding.....why mess with it?
EPO is an injectable protein hormone that acts on bone marrow to stimulate red blood cell production. This is a drug which is used by elite athletes, especially distance runners and elite cyclists. It was developed for patients suffering anemia due to disease. It has been very effective for what it is designed for and sometimes is used as a replacement for blood transfusions. Athletes use this drug to dramatically increase red blood cells which are the oxygen carrying components of blood. Athletes are well aware that if they can increase the oxygen-storing ability of their blood they can increase performance. This is the theory behind blood doping. EPO does the same thing but is more convenient considering the use of EPO just requires a number of injections. Blood doping requires drawing out approximately a liter of blood, freezing it, then thawing it and reinfusing it several weeks later. Unfortunately, EPO has some serious dangers associated with it. It is suspected to be the cause of over half a dozen deaths amongst a circle of elite Dutch cyclists. EPO has a dramatic effect on hematocrit which is the percentage of red blood cells in blood. A hematocrit of 40 means that 40% of the volume of blood is composed of red blood cells which is about normal. Athletes not uncommonly have a higher-than-average hematocrit. When an athlete injects EPO, hematocrit can rise as much as 40%. This results in an especially high concentration of RBCS. The danger sets in when this hematocrit level gets too high. At this point, blood could literally 'clog up' an artery leading to a vascular disaster in the form of a heart attack stroke, cardiac failure, or a condition called pulmonary edema; this is a form of water logging of the lungs because of left ventricular failure. The potential for arterial accidents becomes even greater when an athlete gets dehydrated. Obviously, marathon runners and cyclists lose large amounts of fluid during competition. This loss of fluid can raise the concentration of hematocrit even more, increasing the risk of a fatality.
EPO works by stimulating the bone marrow production of red blood cells, is injected sub-cutaneously with an insulin syringe, is usually injected 2 or 3 times a week, and requires about 2 weeks to become noticeably effective. Doses are highly dependant on body mass and purpose for use.
Despite the dangers, Epogen/Procrit is almost universal in it's use by pro cyclists. Speed/endurance athletes have also taken to the drug in droves.
EPO is becoming much more common in strength training and is is used by bodybuilders pre-contest to impart a fullness to the appearance of the muscle.
Like anything else we use, it is dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced, not a huge deal if taken correctly after thorough research. I'm living proof of that.
Unfortunately, this drug is now widely counterfeited and has been subject of several FDA alerts. (the counterfeit contains the protein, but at only 1/20 the concentration). Also out there are "animal" versions used for greyhounds and racehorses and not compatible with humans. A euro cycling team was recently busted with EPO, and were not even aware they had the doggy version....and they are "experts".
Bottom line......if you aren't among the world's top competitors in pro track, cycling, speedskating, powerlifting or bodybuilding.....why mess with it?
