About darbepoeti n alfa
Long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent
Used for
- Treats anemia caused by chronic kidney disease.
- Treats anemia caused by chemotherapy in certain cancers.
Usual adult dose
Chronic kidney disease: usually 0.45 micrograms/kg weekly or 0.75 micrograms/kg every two weeks. Chemotherapy: usually 2.25 micrograms/kg weekly or 500 micrograms every three weeks.
Usual dose in children
For chronic kidney disease, usually 0.45 micrograms/kg weekly; dosing depends on age and dialysis status. Not established for chemotherapy-related anemia in children.
Common side effects
- High blood pressure
- Blood clots, stroke, or heart attack
- Headache
- Injection-site reactions
Important warnings
- Can increase risk of serious cardiovascular events and death if hemoglobin is raised too high.
- Blood pressure should be controlled and hemoglobin monitored during treatment.
- Rarely causes severe allergic reactions or pure red cell aplasia.
- Cancer-related use is limited to specific situations and may affect cancer outcomes.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed; human pregnancy data are limited.
Breastfeeding
Unknown whether it passes into breast milk; use caution.
Interactions
- No major direct drug interactions are established.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.