Darbepoetin alfa: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What medicine is Darbepoetin Alfa?

What is darbepoetin alfa for?

Darbepoetin alfa is a drug used to treat anemia in people with chronic kidney failure and people receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer (non-myeloid cancer). Darbepoetin is one drug that also helps reduce the need for blood transfusions.

This drug works by giving a signal to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. This medication is very similar to a natural substance in your body (erythropoietin) that prevents anemia.

How to use darbepoetin alfa?

This medication is given as an injection under the skin or into a vein as directed by your doctor. Hemodialysis patients should receive this drug by injection into a vein.

Do not shake this drug and do not mix it with other drugs or IV fluids. Before using the drug, check this product visually for the presence of particles or discoloration. If this occurs, do not use liquid medicine. If you are injecting this drug under the skin, change the location of the injection site each time to avoid problems in the area under the skin.

Learn how to safely store and dispose of needles and medical supplies. Consult your pharmacist.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, body weight, and response to treatment. Blood tests should be done frequently to check how well this medication is working and to determine the right dose of medication for you. Consult your doctor for more details.

Do not increase your dose or use this medication more often than directed. Use this remedy regularly to get its benefits. To help you remember, use it on the same day each week as directed.

It may take 2-6 weeks before the red blood cell count increases again. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or they get worse.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How do you store darbepoetin alfa?

Darbepoetin alfa is a drug that should be stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Darbepoetin Alfa dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of darbepoetin alfa for adults?

• For patients with chronic kidney disease who are not on dialysis, the starting dose of darbepoetin alfa is 0.45 mcg / kg. The drug is given by infusion or injection once every 4 weeks according to the patient's condition.
• For patients with chronic kidney disease by lysis, the initial dose of darbepoetin alfa is 0.45 mcg / kg / once weekly or 0.75 mcg / kg once every 2 weeks according to conditions. Infusion of the drug is recommended for hemodialysis patients.
• For patients who are undergoing cancer, the starting dose of darbepoetin alfa is 2.25 mcg / kg by injection once a week. Alternatively, 500 mcg by injection given every 3 weeks.

What is the dose of darbepoetin alfa for children?

There is no provision for the dose of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is darbepoetin alfa available?

The availability of the drug darbepoetin alfa are:

• Injection, liquid 25 mcg per 0.42 mL
• Injection, liquid 25 mcg / mL
• Injection, liquid 40 mcg per 0.4 mL
• Injection, liquid 40 mcg / mL
• Injection, fluid 60 mcg per 0.3 mL
• Injection, fluid 60 mcg / mL
• Injection, liquid 100 mcg per 0.5 mL
• Injection, liquid 100 mcg / mL
• Injection, fluid 150 mcg per 0.3 mL
• Injection, fluid 150 mcg per 0.75 mL
• Injection, 200 mcg per 0.4 mL
• Injection, liquid 200 mcg / mL
• Injection, liquid 300 mcg per 0.6 mL
• Injection, liquid 300 mcg / mL
• Injection, liquid 500 mcg / mL

Darbepoetin Alfa side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to darbepoetin alfa?

Mild side effects that may occur when you take darbepoetin alfa are:

• Stomach ache
• Cough lightly
• Mild skin rash or redness
• Pain, bruising, swelling, warmth, redness, or bleeding at the infusion area

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and Cautions for Darbepoetin Alfa

What should be known before using darbepoetin alfa?

Some things you should know before taking darbepoetin are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to darbepoetin alfa, epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit), any other medication, or any of the ingredients in darbepoetin alfa injections. Ask your pharmacist or see the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients that make up a drug.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of high blood pressure as well as pure red cell aplasia (PRCA; a severe type of anemia that may develop after treatment with ESAs such as an injection of darbepoetin alfa or an injection of epoetin alfa).
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you use or plan to use. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or watch you carefully for side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of cancer.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using darbepoetin alfa injection, call your doctor.
• Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist if you are using darbepoetin alfa.
• Tell your doctor if you have had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or surgery to treat bone problems. Your doctor may prescribe anticoagulants (blood thinners) to prevent clots from forming during surgery.

Is darbepoetin alfa safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States, or the equivalent of the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration Agency.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = Maybe risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

There are not sufficient studies in women to find out the risk to the baby when the mother takes this drug during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions Darbepoetin Alfa

What medicines may interact with darbepoetin alfa?

Although certain drugs should not be used at the same time, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may want to change the dose or take other precautions that may be needed. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs on the market.

Can food or alcohol interact with darbepoetin alfa?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with darbepoetin alfa?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Some of the health conditions that may interact with the drug darbepoetin are:

• History of aluminum poisoning
• Bleeding
• Bone marrow fibrosis (osteofibrosis cystica)
• Lack of folic acid
• Infection, inflammation, or cancer
• Lack of iron
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• History of blood clotting problems
• Congestive heart failure
• History of heart attack
• Have had heart bypass surgery
• Heart disease or blood vessel disease
• History of stroke
• Thrombosis
• Bone marrow problems (eg, hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, porphyria, thalassemia)
• Hypertension
• Pure red cell aplasia (rare bone marrow disease
• Seizures

Darbepoetin Alfa overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.