What is this medication for?
Darbepoetin alfa belongs to a class of medications called erythropoiesis-regulating hormones. These medications are used to replace the erythropoietin that is lacking in people whose own bodies cannot produce enough. Erythropoietin is produced naturally in the body, mostly by the kidneys. It gives bone marrow the signal to produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen in the blood. If the body does not produce enough erythropoietin, severe anemia (a lack of oxygen reaching the different parts of the body) can occur.
Darbepoetin alfa is used to treat anemia in people with chronic kidney disease, whether or not they are on dialysis. Darbepoetin alfa is a synthetic medication that is similar to the body's own erythropoietin. It takes at least 2 weeks for a noticeable response to the medication, and can take as long as 6 weeks.
Darbepoetin alfa is also used to treat people with cancer who develop anemia because of chemotherapy treatment. When chemotherapy is given to people with cancer, their bodies may not be able to produce enough erythropoietin. As a result, they can become anemic because not enough red blood cells are produced. Darbepoetin alfa has only been studied in people who have nonmyeloid cancers (cancers other than bone marrow cancers).
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Aranesp® is available as:
- injectable (polysorbate solution) vial
- 25 µg per mL
- 40 µg per mL
- 60 µg per mL
- 100 µg per mL
- 150 µg per mL
- 200 µg per mL
- 300 µg per mL
- 500 µg per mL
- injectable (polysorbate solution) prefilled syringes with needle guard or auto-injector
- 25 µg per 0.42 mL
- 40 µg per 0.4 mL
- 60 µg per 0.3 mL
- 100 µg per 0.5 mL
- 150 µg per 0.3 mL
- 200 µg per 0.4 mL
- 300 µg per 0.6 mL
- 500 µg per mL
- injectable (albumin solution) vials
- 25 µg per mL
- 40 µg per mL
- 60 µg per mL
- 100 µg per mL
- 150 µg per mL
- 200 µg per mL
- 300 µg per mL
- 500 µg per mL
- injectable (albumin solution) prefilled syringes with needle guard or auto-injector
- 25 µg per 0.42 mL
- 40 µg per 0.4 mL
- 60 µg per 0.3 mL
- 100 µg per 0.5 mL
- 150 µg per 0.3 mL
- 200 µg per 0.4 mL
- 300 µg per 0.6 mL
- 500 µg per mL
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
Darbepoetin alfa is available as an injection which is given under the skin or into a vein. People who receive the medication under the skin can usually be taught to give themselves the injection. If this is the case, make sure you understand exactly how to do this, as instructed by your doctor or nurse. People who need to have the medication delivered into a vein must have the medication injected by a doctor or nurse.
The usual starting dose for adults with chronic kidney disease is 0.45 µg per kilogram of body weight given once a week under the skin or into a vein.
The usual starting dose for adults with cancer is 2.25 µg per kilogram of body weight given once a week or 500 µg every 3 weeks, under the skin. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose according to your body's response to the medication.
Your doctor may want you to take iron supplements while you are taking darbepoetin alfa, to help it work as well as possible.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication in the fridge, protect it from light and freezing, and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not shake before using.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Darbepoetin alfa should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to darbepoetin alfa or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- is allergic to latex (for the prefilled syringes only)
- has developed a condition called pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) after using darbepoetin alfa, epoetin alfa, or related medications
- has uncontrolled high blood pressure