EPO

What drug is epo short for?

Erythropoietin

EPO refers to a hormone that regulates red blood cell production, boosting endurance and oxygen delivery in the bloodstream. While essential for treating anemia by stimulating red blood cell growth, EPO is infamous in the sports world as a performance-enhancing drug (PED). Athletes seeking a competitive edge may misuse EPO to boost stamina and performance, despite its ban by most sporting organizations.

While it can be a vital treatment for certain medical conditions, its reputation largely centers on its controversial use in competitive athletics. For example, EPO gained notoriety due to doping scandals, particularly in endurance sports like cycling.

Example

hey, did you hear about that cyclist who got caught using epo?
yeah, it's crazy how many athletes are doping these days!
BBC News reporting on the effect of EPO on cyclists
BBC News reporting on the effect of EPO on cyclists

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Updated August 19, 2026

EPO definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary

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