Darbepoetin

Darbepoetin is a drug which increase red blood cell levels, and is used to treat anemia. It is in the same class of drugs as erythropoietin.

Its brand name is Aranesp, marketed by Amgen[?]. It was approved in September 2001 by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of patients with chronic kidney failure.

Its use during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games to improve performance led to the disqualification of cross-country skiers Larissa Lazutina[?] and Olga Danilova[?] of Russia and Johann Mühlegg of Spain from their final races.