Aranesp (Darbepoetin Alfa)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Aranesp Used For?
Aranesp contains darbepoetin alfa, a man-made protein that works like the natural hormone erythropoietin to help your body make more red blood cells.
Primary Uses
Aranesp treats anemia (low red blood cell count) in two main situations: when you have chronic kidney failure, and when you’re receiving chemotherapy for cancer. Anemia symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, increased heart rate, depression, nausea, loss of appetite, feeling cold, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
How It Works
Aranesp works exactly like the natural hormone erythropoietin that your kidneys normally produce. It encourages your bone marrow to make more red blood cells. It takes time for your body to produce new red blood cells, so you may not notice improvement for about four weeks.
Good to know: If you’re on dialysis, your normal dialysis routine won’t affect Aranesp’s ability to treat your anemia.
How to Take Aranesp
Your doctor will determine the right strength of Aranesp for you based on blood tests and will decide how often you need injections.
Dosage Instructions
Aranesp is given as an injection once a week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, or once a month. You need to inject the full contents of the syringe. You can give yourself injections under the skin after proper training from your doctor or nurse. Injections into a vein must be given by a healthcare professional. Never inject Aranesp into a vein yourself.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to inject Aranesp, contact your doctor or nurse to discuss when you should take your next injection. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never inject Aranesp into a vein yourself – this must only be done by a doctor or nurse.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, pain, itching)
- Tiredness and weakness
- Chest or throat infections
- Difficulty breathing, cough, chest tightness
- Headache, dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- Loss of appetite, stomach pain
- Pins and needles, diminished sense of touch
- Joint, limb, muscle, or bone pain
- Fever, flu-like symptoms
- Fast heart rate
- Itching, hair loss
- Urinary tract infections
- Trouble sleeping
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Serious allergic reactions (drop in blood pressure, fast pulse, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/throat)
- Severe skin reactions with rash, blisters, or skin peeling
- Sudden rise in blood pressure with severe headaches, confusion, seizures
- Signs of stroke (tingling, weakness, speech difficulties, vision problems)
- Heart attack symptoms (chest pain)
- Blood clots
- Pure red cell aplasia (unusual tiredness, lack of energy)
- Problems with dialysis shunt (bleeding, infection, clotting)
- High blood pressure
- Sudden severe headache, vision loss, coordination problems
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations and warnings you need to know before using Aranesp.
Who Should Not Take Aranesp
Do not use Aranesp if you have high blood pressure that is not controlled by other medicines, if you’re allergic to other erythropoietin products or any ingredients in Aranesp, or if you’re allergic to medicines made using mammalian cells. Do not misuse Aranesp – misuse by healthy people can cause life-threatening heart or blood vessel problems.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any blood clotting diseases, epilepsy or seizures, latex allergy (needle components contain latex derivatives), infections, vitamin deficiencies, cancers, or any other health problems that may affect how you respond to Aranesp.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, as it’s not known if Aranesp passes into breast milk. Do not give Aranesp to children.
Cancer Patients Warning: In some clinical studies, using Aranesp to treat anemia was associated with increased risk of death in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Aranesp and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Tell your doctor about any medicines, vitamins, or supplements you buy without a prescription
- Check with your doctor if you’re unsure about what medicines might affect Aranesp
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or using machinery until you know how Aranesp affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Aranesp affects you.
Storage
Store Aranesp in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze, though you can use it if accidentally frozen for less than 2 days. Keep in the original box to protect from light. Do not shake. You can take it out of the refrigerator for up to 2 days at room temperature (up to 30°C). Pre-filled pens and syringes can be removed 30 minutes before injection to make it more comfortable. Do not use after the expiry date.
Overdose Information
If you think you have injected too much Aranesp, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes your body time to make more red blood cells, so you may not notice any effect for about four weeks after starting treatment.
You can give yourself subcutaneous (under the skin) injections after receiving proper training from your doctor or nurse. However, you should never inject Aranesp into a vein yourself – this must only be done by a healthcare professional.
If you forget to inject Aranesp, contact your doctor or nurse to discuss when you should take your next injection. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Store Aranesp in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. You can take it out up to 30 minutes before injection to make it more comfortable. It can be left out at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep it in the original box to protect from light and do not shake or freeze.
Do not stop using Aranesp suddenly. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and continue treatment until your doctor tells you to stop.
No, if you are on dialysis, your normal dialysis routine will not affect Aranesp’s ability to treat your anemia.
If you think you have injected too much, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.