Furthermore, in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in NDD-CKD anemic patients, the addition of the activated charcoal oral adsorbent AST-120 to pegylated EPO (CERA) increased Hb levels more than CERA alone; more patients achieved a Hb > 11 g/dL in the combination group and the doses of CERA were lower with the combination. Here, EPO is linked to chronic kidney disease.