How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
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 body cannot produce enough.
Darbepoetin alfa is a synthetic medication that is similar to the body's own erythropoietin, which is mostly produced by the kidneys. Erythropoietin 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 condition where the blood does not have enough red blood cells and results in a lack of oxygen reaching different parts of the body) can occur.
Erythropoietin is produced and regulated by the kidney. Therefore, people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may develop low erythropoietin levels and become anemic. Darbepoetin alfa is used to treat anemia in people with CKD, whether or not they are on dialysis.
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. Darbepoetin alfa has only been studied in people who have non-myeloid cancers (cancers other than bone marrow cancers).
Darbepoetin alfa does not act immediately and it may take several weeks before there is a noticeable response to the medication. The amount of time it takes for the red blood cell level to reach target is different for each person.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or 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?
SingleJect Prefilled Syringes
Each SingleJect prefilled syringe contains darbepoetin alfa as 10 µg, 20 µg, 30 µg, 40 µg, 50 µg, 60 µg, 80 µg, 100 µg, 130 µg, 150 µg, 200 µg, 300 µg, 500 µg per syringe in the following concentrations and fill volumes: 25 µg/mL in 0.4 mL; 40 µg/mL in 0.5 mL; 100 µg/mL in 0.3 mL, 0.4 mL and 0.5 mL; 200 µg/mL in 0.3 mL, 0.4 mL, 0.5 mL and 0.65 mL; 500 µg/mL in 0.3 mL, 0.4 mL, 0.6 mL, and 1 mL. Nonmedicinal ingredients: polysorbate 80, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, and sterile water for injection, USP. pH of polysorbate solution is 6.2±0.2. The needle cover of the prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex).
To reduce the risk of accidental needle sticks to users, each prefilled syringe is equipped with an UltraSafe Needle Guard that is manually activated to cover the needle during disposal.
How should I use this medication?
The usual recommended starting dose of darbepoetin alfa depends on body weight. Darbepoetin alfa is available only 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 CKD is 0.45 µg per kilogram of body weight given once a week. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose according to your body's response to the medication. In some cases, doses can be given once every 2 weeks. Dose adjustments to find the right dose may be made 2 to 4 weeks after starting treatment and usually involve blood tests. Changes to the dose should not be made more often than every 4 weeks. If you are on hemodialysis, this medication could also be given into the line connecting you to the hemodialysis machine.
The usual starting dose for adults with cancer is 2.25 µg per kilogram of body weight given once a week or 500 µg once every 3 weeks as an injection under the skin. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose according to your body's response to the medication. Dose adjustments to find the right dose may be made 2 to 6 weeks after starting treatment and usually involve blood tests.
Darbepoetin alfa should be stopped once the chemotherapy treatment has been finished.
Many things can affect the dose of a 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 being given the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important this medication be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive darbepoetin alfa, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment. If you are injecting this medication yourself and you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C, protect it from light, and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not freeze or shake this medication. You may remove this medication from the refrigerator up to 30 minutes before injection to allow it to warm to room temperature.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you:
- are allergic to darbepoetin alfa or any ingredients of the medication
- are allergic to medications made from mammalian cells
- have developed a condition called pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), after using erythropoiesis-stimulating proteins (e.g., darbepoetin alfa, epoetin alfa)
- have uncontrolled high blood pressure
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- pain, stinging, redness, or swelling around the injection site
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- clotting of the vascular access site (for people on hemodialysis)
- dehydration
- diarrhea
- edema (swelling of the face, fingers, ankles, feet, or lower legs)
- headache
- increased or decreased blood pressure, dizziness, or feeling faint
- muscle aches and pain
- nausea
- signs of infection (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- chest pain
- signs of allergic reaction (symptoms may include skin rash or hives, trouble breathing, sweating, abnormal heart rate, or decreased blood pressure)
- signs of blood clots (pain or swelling in the legs, worsening shortness of breath)
- signs of severe skin reactions (blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort)
- signs of stroke (confusion, severe headache, sudden weakness, dizziness, trouble speaking, or vision problems)
- seizures
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take this medication.
Allergies: This medication can cause severe allergic and skin reactions. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face and throat.
Blood clots: This medication may increase the chance of blood clot formation, causing reduction of blood flow to organs or the extremities, and which in some cases can cause death. Your doctor will monitor your hemoglobin level closely with blood tests during treatment with this medication. If you experience symptoms such as sharp pain and swelling in the leg, or difficulty breathing, contact your doctor immediately.
Cancer: Darbepoetin alfa is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy treatment of non-myeloid cancers. It is not used to treat anemia that is due to the cancer itself. Under some conditions, this medication may cause tumours to progress or reoccur more quickly than for people who are not using darbepoetin alfa. It may also increase the chances of cardiovascular complications (e.g., heart attack, stroke, blood clots, death). The lowest possible dose needed to avoid blood transfusion should be used for cancer patients.
Cardiovascular disease: This medication often affects blood pressure and can contribute to symptoms of heart disease. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease such as heart failure, angina, or a previous heart attack, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you are taking blood pressure pills to control blood pressure, it is important to continue taking them regularly while you are on darbepoetin alfa. Your doctor will monitor your hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen) until an appropriate dose of darbepoetin alfa has been determined.
Kidney disease: This medication may be used by people with chronic kidney disease who are receiving dialysis and who are not receiving dialysis - the dose may be different for each. Your doctor will monitor you closely for your response to the medication.
Pure red cell aplasia: Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported among people treated with darbepoetin alfa. PRCA is a condition in which a person's bone marrow stops producing red blood cells, leading to severe anemia. People who develop PRCA may experience a new or worsening feeling of tiredness or shortness of breath. If you are experiencing such symptoms, call your doctor as soon as possible. Do not stop your medication without contacting your doctor first.
Seizure: This medication may contribute to an increase in seizures although the relationship between darbepoetin and seizures is not clear. If you experience seizures or have a history of seizure disorder, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Stroke: Darbepoetin can increase the risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels. If you have a past history of stroke, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience signs and symptoms of a stroke, blurred vision or difficulty speaking, sudden headache or loss of coordination, contact your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if darbepoetin alfa passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between darbepoetin alfa and any of the following:
- danazol
- lenalidomide
- pomalidomide
- solriamfetol
- testosterone
- thalidomide
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Aranesp
