What is Aranesp?
Aranesp is a man-made form of the protein human erythropoietin that is given to reduce or avoid the need for red blood cell transfusions. Aranesp stimulates your bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Having more red blood cells raises your hemoglobin level. If your hemoglobin level stays too high or if your hemoglobin goes up too quickly, this may lead to serious health problems which may result in death. These serious health problems may happen even if you take Aranesp and do not have an increase in your haemoglobin level.
What Aranesp Alfa is Used For:
- Darbepoetin alfa is a support medication. It does not treat cancer.
- Anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Anemia is caused by chemotherapy cancer treatment.
- Symptomatic anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
How Aranesp Alfa is Given:
- This medication may be given by subcutaneous (layer of tissue between the skin and the muscle) injection into the arm, abdomen or thigh.
- This medication may also be given by infusion into a vein (intravenously, IV).
- The amount of darbepoetin alfa that you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition being treated. Your doctor will determine your dose and schedule.
What are the possible side effects of Aranesp?
Important things to remember about the side effects of darbepoetin alfa:
- Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
- Darbepoetin Alfa side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
- Darbepoetin Alfa side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
- There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
- There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
- Side effects of darbepoetin alfa may also be attributed to the cancer and/or chemotherapy treatment.
The Less common side effects of Aranesp include:
- Edema
- Abdominal pain
- Tremors or seizures
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling
- Dyspnea
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
These are not all of the possible side effects of Aranesp. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What are the ingredients in Aranesp?
- Active ingredient: darbepoetin alfa
- Inactive ingredients: polysorbate 80, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, and sodium chloride in Water for Injection, USP.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of dehydration that does not go away. ABRAXANE may cause fertility problems in males and females, which may affect your ability to have a child.
Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you. These are not all of the possible side effects of ABRAXANE. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know.