Darbepoetin Alfa
About Darbepoetin Alfa
Darbepoetin Alfa belongs to the class of medication called 'blood-forming agent' primarily used to treat anaemia (low red blood cell count) in person with long-term serious (chronic) kidney disease and persons receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer (except for bone marrow or blood cells' cancer). Darbepoetin Alfa helps to reverse anaemia and reduce the need for blood transfusion. Anaemia occurs when the body has a lower amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin. In chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood, leading to anaemia.
Darbepoetin Alfa contains a protein 'Darbepoetin alfa' which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Darbepoetin Alfa is a biologic response modifier and erythropoiesis-stimulating protein. In chronic kidney disease, when the kidney fails to produce sufficient 'erythropoietin protein' which aids in the formation of red blood cells, Darbepoetin Alfa stimulates the production of this protein in the bone marrow.
Darbepoetin Alfa will be injected by the healthcare provider. Do not self-administer. The most common side effects of Darbepoetin Alfa are shortness of breath, cough, low blood pressure during dialysis, headache, body aches, diarrhoea, injection site pain and abdominal pain. Most of these sides effects of Darbepoetin Alfa do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
If you have uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure or red cell aplasia (a type of anaemia) due to darbepoetin alfa or epoetin alfa, please inform your doctor before taking Darbepoetin Alfa to avoid any complications. Also, mention all the other medications you are taking to affect the way Darbepoetin Alfa works. Inform your doctor immediately, if you feel weak, lightheaded, tired, or short of breath, or if your skin looks pale as it may be signs that the body has stopped responding to Darbepoetin Alfa.
Uses of Darbepoetin Alfa
Medicinal Benefits
Darbepoetin Alfa is a human-made form of naturally occurring erythropoiesis-stimulating protein or erythropoietin (a hormone produced by the kidney's specialized cells and is responsible for protecting red blood cells against destruction and also stimulates the cells of bone marrow to produce more amount of red blood cells). Deficiency of erythropoietin happens when a person is suffering from chronic kidney diseases, which in turn cause low red blood cells count causing anaemia. This medicine is primarily indicated for treating anaemia (low red blood cell count) in persons with long-term serious (chronic) kidney disease and persons receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer except for bone marrow or blood cells' cancer. Darbepoetin Alfa contains a protein 'Darbepoetin alfa' which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Darbepoetin Alfa
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Headache
- Body aches
- Diarrhoea
- Injection site pain
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
Drug Warnings
Darbepoetin Alfa can enhance the risk of serious heart problems including heart attack so tell your doctor immediately if you notice shortness of breath, sudden numbness or weakness, chest pain, or trouble speaking or understanding. This medicine may also shorten survival time in some people with certain types of cancer. Inform your doctor before taking Darbepoetin Alfa if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke, heart attack, blood clot, seizure, or latex allergy. Do not take Darbepoetin Alfa if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Darbepoetin Alfa may affect a person's ability to drive as it may cause convulsion during initial days of treatment, so a person taking Darbepoetin Alfa should avoid driving or operating any machine. Darbepoetin Alfa should not be given to children below 12 years of age, as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Darbepoetin Alfa as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Darbepoetin Alfa may have interaction with other chemotherapy drugs (thalidomide), immunosuppressant medication (cyclosporine), antihypertensive medicines (captopril).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Darbepoetin Alfa as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Darbepoetin Alfa may have interactions with disease conditions such as seizures, hemodialysis, hypertension, and thrombotic events
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Darbepoetin Alfa as it may increase dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionAvoid taking Darbepoetin Alfa if you are pregnant unless prescribed by a doctor as Darbepoetin Alfa is a pregnancy category C drug. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Darbepoetin Alfa; your doctor will decide whether Darbepoetin Alfa can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
unsafeDarbepoetin Alfa causes convulsions (seizures), especially during the initial months of treatment. So, it is better not to drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionDarbepoetin Alfa should not be given to children as the safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Limit the consumption of fluids, salt, potassium, phosphorous, and other electrolytes.
- Eat a low-protein diet, and get enough calories from the foods if you are losing weight.
- Eat foods that are high in vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid can fulfil the deficiencies of happed in kidney disease.
- Include a little number of healthy fats in your diet that give you enough energy to be active during the day; however, try to limit fats that make you fatty. Try to include olive oil, peanut oil, and corn oil into your diet.
- Rest well, get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Using essential oils for massages can help increase circulation.
Special Advise
- Certain diagnostic tests like Complete blood count (CBC) can help check the count of red blood cells.
- Have regular haemoglobin tests to check whether there is an improvement in the level of red blood cells after taking Darbepoetin Alfa or not.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anaemia: It occurs when the body has a lower amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin than normal haemoglobin (iron-rich the protein responsible for allowing red blood cells to carry more oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body). In chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood, leading to anaemia. Symptoms of anaemia in chronic kidney disease include fatigue or tiredness, shortness of breath, ashen skin, weakness, body aches, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, headache, sleep problems, and trouble in concentrating.
FAQs
Darbepoetin Alfa is used to treat anaemia (low red blood cell count) in person with long-term serious (chronic) kidney disease and persons receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer (except for bone marrow or blood cells' cancer). Darbepoetin Alfa helps to reverse anaemia and reduce the need for blood transfusion.
It is suggested to store the Darbepoetin Alfa in the refrigerator and protect it from light. However, a person should not freeze it.
It is advised to tell your doctor about your medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot, a seizure, a latex allergy to avoid any type of medical condition.
A person who is allergic to any chemical compound present in Darbepoetin Alfa or have uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure, or ever had pure red cell aplasia (a type of anaemia) caused by using darbepoetin alfa, or epoetin alfa is not allowed to take a name.
Consult your doctor before taking Darbepoetin Alfa if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Your doctor will prescribe Darbepoetin Alfa only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Darbepoetin Alfa contains a protein "Darbepoetin alfa", which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. As in chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood in the way it should be leading to anemia.
Darbepoetin Alfa may cause side effects such as injection site pain, cough, low blood pressure, headache, diarrhoea, body pains, shortness of breath or stomach pain. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
After beginning treatment with Darbepoetin Alfa, it takes around 2 to 6 weeks for increase in haemoglobin level in blood.
Darbepoetin Alfa is used only if anaemia is due to chronic (long term) kidney disease and chemotherapy for some types of cancer (except for bone marrow and blood cells).
Darbepoetin Alfa may cause high blood pressure particularly in patients with long term kidney disease due to the rapid increase of red blood cells in the initial 3 months after starting Darbepoetin Alfa.
Darbepoetin Alfa is not used in the treatment of cancer. It is used in treatment of anemia (low levels of healthy red blood cells) in patients receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer (except for bone marrow or blood cells cancer).
Darbepoetin Alfa should be used with extreme caution as it can cause serious side effects and can even be life-threatening. The patient should follow doctor’s recommendations strictly.
If you have deficiencies of folic acid, vitamin B12 or iron, you may not respond to Darbepoetin Alfa. It is important that you take measures to correct these deficiencies. Other reasons may be infections, bleeding, inflammation and bone marrow fibrosis. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor.
Darbepoetin Alfa is usually not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established. However, if you have any concerns regarding the use of Darbepoetin Alfa for children, please consult your doctor.
