Generic Name: darbepoetin alfa (DAR be POE e tin AL fa)
Brand Names: Aranesp
Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) action is to help the body to produce red blood cells. This protein may be reduced when you have kidney failure or use certain medications lead to anemia.
Aranesp is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy or chronic kidney disease.
Contraindication
You should not use Aranesp if you are allergic to darbepoetin alfa, or if you have:
untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure; or
if you have ever had pure red cell aplasia (PRCA, a type of anemia) caused by using Aranesp or epoetin alfa.
Aranesp may shorten remission time in some people with head and neck cancer who are also being treated with radiation.
Darbepoetin alfa may also shorten survival time in certain people with breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, or lymphoid cancer.
Doses
Aranesp is given every 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the Hb
Aranesp is injected under the skin
Store in the refrigerator and protect from light. Do not freeze Aranesp, and throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.
Each vial (bottle) or prefilled syringe is for one use only.
Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Patients Not on Dialysis:
Initial dose: 0.45 mcg/kg IV or subcutaneously once every 4 weeks
CKD Patients on Dialysis:
Initial dose: 0.45 mcg/kg IV or subcutaneously once a week or 0.75 mcg/kg once every 2 weeks as appropriate
Comments:
Initiate treatment when hemoglobin is less than 10 g/dL.
IV route is recommended for patients on hemodialysis.
Anemia Associated with Chemotherapy:
Initial dose: 2.25 mcg/kg subcutaneously once a week or 500 mcg subcutaneously once every 3 weeks
side effect:
signs of an allergic reaction to Aranesp (hives, wheezing, difficult breathing, severe dizziness or fainting, swelling in face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
Darbepoetin alfa can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use Aranesp.
heart attack symptoms – chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, pain spreading to jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
signs of a stroke – sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), confusion, sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
signs of a blood clot – pain, swelling, warmth, redness, cold feeling, or pale appearance of an arm or leg; or
increased blood pressure – severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed.
