It must not be used in the following groups: • patients who have developed pure red cell aplasia (reduced or stopped red blood cell production) following treatment with any erythropoietin; • patients with high blood pressure that is not controlled; • patients who are going to donate their own blood who have had a heart attack or stroke within the last month, who have angina pectoris (a severe type of chest pain) or who are at risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT: formation of blood clots in the deep veins of the body, usually in the leg); 2/ 3 • patients who cannot receive medicines for the prevention of blood clots; • patients about to undergo major orthopaedic surgery who have severe cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems including a recent heart attack or stroke.