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BLOOD AND BLOOD FORMING ORGANS › ANTIANEMIC PREPARATIONS › OTHER ANTIANEMIC PREPARATIONS › Other antianemic preparations
darbepoetin alfa
B03XA02
Forms & Strengths
- Solution for injection: 10 mcg/0.4 mL, 25 mcg/1 mL, 40 mcg/1 mL, 60 mcg/1 mL, 100 mcg/1 mL, 150 mcg/0.3 mL, 200 mcg/0.4 mL, 300 mcg/0.6 mL, 500 mcg/1 mL
- Prefilled syringes and single-use vials
Adult Dosing
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) on dialysis: Initial 0.45 mcg/kg IV or SC once weekly, or 0.75 mcg/kg once every 2 weeks
- CKD not on dialysis: Initial 0.45 mcg/kg IV or SC once every 4 weeks
- Chemotherapy-induced anemia: 2.25 mcg/kg SC once weekly, or 500 mcg SC once every 3 weeks
Pediatric Dosing
- CKD on dialysis (age 1-18 years): Initial 0.45 mcg/kg IV or SC once weekly, or 0.75 mcg/kg once every 2 weeks
- CKD not on dialysis (age 1-18 years): Initial 0.45 mcg/kg IV or SC once weekly
Indications
- Treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including patients on dialysis and not on dialysis
- Treatment of anemia due to the effect of concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy in patients with non-myeloid malignancies
Mechanism of Action
- Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) that stimulates erythropoiesis by binding to and activating the erythropoietin receptor
- Induces the release of reticulocytes from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, increasing red blood cell production
- Contains two additional N-linked carbohydrate chains compared to recombinant human erythropoietin, resulting in a longer serum half-life
Contraindications
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) that begins after treatment with darbepoetin alfa or other erythropoiesis-stimulating agents
- Hypersensitivity to darbepoetin alfa or any component of the product
Adverse Reactions
- Hypertension
- Thromboembolic events
- Stroke
- Myocardial infarction
- Dialysis vascular access thrombosis
- Edema
- Headache
- Arthralgia
Drug Interactions
- Androgens: May increase the erythropoietic response, requiring dosage adjustment
- ACE inhibitors and ARBs: May increase the risk of severe anemia or interfere with erythropoiesis when combined with ESAs
- Lenalidomide: Increased risk of thromboembolic events when co-administered with ESAs
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use