Treatment of anemia in: i. chronic renal failure patients ii. zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients iii. cancer patients on chemotherapy iv. reduction of allogeneic blood transfusion in surgery patients. given i.v. or s.c. Half life of 4-13 hrs in patients with chronic renal failure. Side Effects: a rapid increase in hematocrit & hemoglobin may cause hypertension & thrombotic complications.