Darbepoetin Alfa
Description
Darbepoetin Alfa is used to treat anaemia (low count of red blood cells) caused by kidney failure (a condition where your kidneys stop functioning over a period) or chemotherapy (medicines used to treat cancer). It works by boosting the bone marrow (the spongy tissue in the centre of the bones) to increase the production of red blood cells.
Darbepoetin Alfa may cause some side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, cough, skin rash etc. Consult your doctor if these effects are worsening. This medicine can make you feel dizzy. It is advisable to refrain from doing activities that require concentration like driving vehicles or operating machines.
Darbepoetin Alfa is given by qualified healthcare professionals in a hospital or clinic. Your dose will be decided according to your condition. You will be monitored closely for any signs of allergy after the injection is given.
Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or have undergone heart surgeries. Inform your doctor about your current medications and pre-existing conditions to avoid side effects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Darbepoetin Alfa
- Cough
- Stomach pain
- Redness, swelling, bruising, itching, or a lump at the injection site
- Skin rash and itching
- Difficulty in breathing
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- Excessive tiredness and weakness
- Dizziness and fainting
- Pale skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Irregular heartbeat
- Anxiety
- Convulsions (seizures)
- Burning, numbness, tingling in the arms and feet
Uses of Darbepoetin Alfa
What is it prescribed for?
- Anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease
- Anaemia associated with chemotherapy
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Darbepoetin Alfa is cumulative (increasing as each new amount is added) and it generally takes up to 2 to 6 weeks before any effect can be observed.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Darbepoetin Alfa remains effective in your body is clinically not known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Darbepoetin Alfa.
- Usage in pregnancy?Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended if you are pregnant as enough data is not available to understand its safety and efficiency. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended to be taken while breastfeeding as it is not known if this medicine is passed into breast milk or not. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, swelling and/or itching (especially on your face, lips, throat), breathing difficulty, etc.
Uncontrolled hypertension
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a clinical condition that cannot be controlled by medicines and lifestyle modifications. Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended in such cases as it may increase the risk of developing heart conditions.
Pure red cell aplasia
Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare disorder of blood production in which the bone marrow, fails to function in an adequate manner resulting in anaemia. Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended for in such cases that begin after treatment with Darbepoetin alfa or other Erythropoietin protein drugs.
Liver Disease
Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended if there are liver problems. The medicine cannot be excreted from your body and may lead to toxicity.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended if you are pregnant as enough data is not available to understand its safety and efficiency. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended to be taken while breastfeeding as it is not known if this medicine is passed into breast milk or not. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Other medicines
Darbepoetin Alfa may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you report all your current medicines, including any herbs and supplements, to your doctor before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Not for immediate effect
Darbepoetin Alfa should not be used in cases where an immediate increase in the red blood cell count is desired.
Ongoing cancer treatment
Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended for use in people having the following conditions,
Where cancer is being treated with biological products or radiation therapy.
Individuals receiving myelosuppressive therapy (bone marrow activity is reduced) for a curable form of cancer
Have anaemia that can be managed with blood transfusion.
Surgery of heart and blood vessels
Darbepoetin Alfa is not recommended if you are about to undergo surgery of the heart or blood vessels due to the increased risk of blood clot formation. If you are scheduled for surgery, your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner to prevent blood clots.
Cardiovascular diseases
Darbepoetin Alfa should be used with extreme caution if you have heart and blood vessels disorders as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor may monitor your condition closely and/or adjust your dose if required.
Seizures
Darbepoetin Alfa can cause seizures (sudden uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain) if you have kidney problems. This risk is especially higher in the early stages of treatment and if you have a history of seizures. Your doctor may monitor your condition closely and/or adjust your dose if required.
Target hemoglobin level
Darbepoetin Alfa should not be used to increase your haemoglobin level greater than 11 g/dL as it increases the chances of a heart attack.
Missed Dose
As Darbepoetin Alfa is usually given by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
As Darbepoetin Alfa is given in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Thalidomide
Ramipril
Cyclosporine
Lenalidomide
Disease interactions
Blood clotting disorders
Darbepoetin Alfa should be used with extreme caution if you have blood clotting disorders as it can increase the risk of blood clots. Inform your doctor about such conditions before receiving this injection.
Hemodaialysis
Darbepoetin Alfa may develop blood clots at the site from where your blood is drawn if you are undergoing hemodialysis (a procedure to filter your blood). Your doctor may closely monitor you or adjust your dose according to your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Darbepoetin Alfa is usually given in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to your doctor before receiving this supplement.
Darbepoetin Alfa is prescribed for a long period. Therefore, do not stop taking this medicine even if you feel better after few doses. Consult your doctor if your condition is not improving after few days.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Darbepoetin Alfa stimulates the bone marrow (the spongy tissue in the centre of the bones) to increase the production of red blood cells. This helps in the treatment of anaemia.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Recombinant human erythropoietins
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 October 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 October 2021].
Amgen, Inc. 2021. Aranesp®. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 October 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - ARANESP- darbepoetin alfa injection, solutionARANESP- darbepoetin alfa solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 October 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 28 Oct 2021
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