Cobalt chloride in the treatment of refractory anaemia in patients undergoing long-term haemodialysis.

The effect of oral cobalt chloride on the anaemia of patients undergoing long-term haemodialysis therapy was investigated in 14 patients taking 25 mg then 50 mg daily. After eight weeks of treatment the mean haematocrit increase in 11 patients completing the trial was 23% of the original level and the 51Cr-red cell volume had increased by 20%. The 51Cr red half-life lengthened after treatment in six patients and the 59Fe plasma half-time shortened in ten patients. After treatment, evidence of increased erythropoietic activity was seen in the bone marrow of five patients. No evidence was found of thyroid of liver dysfunction but three patients developed transient loss of hearing demonstrated by audiometry. Cobalt chloride appears to be helpful in the management of some uraemic patients with refractory anaemia.