Recombinant human erythropoietins, act like endogenous erythropoietin to stimulate erythropoiesis, the process of red blood cell production. Endogenous erythropoietin is a hormone that is secreted by particular cells in the kidneys in response to reduced levels of oxygen reaching the tissues in the kidneys.
Recombinant human erythropoietins are given to patients with kidney failure to treat anemia.