Medical Uses:
Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) widely used for the treatment of anemia due to:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in patients who are on dialysis and patients who are not on dialysis
The effects of concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and upon initiation, there is a minimum of 2 additional months of planned chemotherapy.
Limitations of Use: This therapeutic drug has not been shown to improve quality of life (QoL), fatigue, or patient well-being.
Aranesp is not indicated for use in patients with cancer receiving hormonal agents, biologic products, or radiotherapy unless they are also receiving concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy; in patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy when the anticipated outcome is a cure; in patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy where anemia can be managed by transfusion; and as a substitute for RBC transfusions in patients who require immediate correction of anemia.
Recommended Dosage:
Recommended Starting Dose for Patients with CKD on Dialysis: The recommended dosage of Aranesp is 0.45 mcg/kg intravenously or subcutaneously weekly, or 0.75 mcg/kg intravenously or subcutaneously every 2 weeks. The intravenous (IV) route is recommended for patients on hemodialysis.
Recommended Starting Dose for Patients with CKD Not On Dialysis: The recommended dosage of Aranesp is 0.45 mcg/kg intravenously or subcutaneously at 4-week intervals.
Recommended Starting Dose for Pediatric Patients with CKD: The recommended dosage is 0.45 mcg/kg intravenously or subcutaneously weekly. Patients with CKD who are not on dialysis may also be initiated at 0.75 mcg/kg every 2 weeks.
Recommended Starting Dose for Patients with Cancer On Chemotherapy: The recommended dosage is 2.25 mcg/kg subcutaneously weekly, or 500 mcg subcutaneously every 3 weeks.