Colony Stimulating Factor.
Mechanism of Action
Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp®) is another medication that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. A lack of red blood cells in the body can result in severe anemia. Anemia occurs in people with chronic kidney failure, and also may occur in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatments. This medication may be used for patients on dialysis as well.
Dosage Regimens
| Condition | Information |
Anemia from Chronic kidney failure |
0.45 mcg/kg weekly or 0.7 mcg/kg every 2 weeks. |
Common Side Effects
- Elevation in blood pressure
- Rash
- Flu-like symptoms (usually appear within 1.5 to 2 hours after starting treatment and may last from 2 to 12 hours).
Patient Instructions
- You will require frequent blood tests to determines dosage changes to optimize therapy. Most patients require iron in the oral or intravenous form to maintain iron stores or replete depleted stores while taking darbepoetin alfa
