Darbepoetin Alfa, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: colony stimulating factor

Generic and brand names: darbepoetin alfa, injection; Aranesp

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injections (shots) to treat low red blood cell counts (anemia). It is given to people who have long-term kidney disease or who have certain types of cancer and are receiving chemotherapy.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before receiving this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to any medicine
• a history of seizures
• an infection
• blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia or porphyria
• bone marrow problems
• folic acid deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency
• heart or blood vessel disease
• high blood pressure.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

You may receive this medicine weekly in one of two forms: as an IV or a subcutaneous injection (just below the skin). The length of treatment will depend on your response to the medicine. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions exactly. If your healthcare provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use.

This medicine comes in a vial or prefilled syringe. Do not shake the vial or the syringe. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Wash your hands before using this medicine.

If you are giving yourself an injection just below the skin:

1. Your healthcare provider will tell you where you can give yourself the shots (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or other sites). If you are giving the shot in your abdomen, choose a site around the belly button but not in the belly button. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
3. Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 45° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin.
4. Inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger.
5. After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press an alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.

Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

What should I watch out for?

You need regular blood tests while you are receiving this medicine. A high level of hemoglobin in your blood may increase the chance of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, blood clots, and death. If you have cancer, your tumor may grow faster. Talk with your provider about this.

You need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If the level of iron in your blood is too low, your healthcare provider may prescribe supplements such as iron and vitamins.

This medicine may change your blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked often and report any changes to your healthcare provider.

If you are on dialysis, your dialysis access may become blocked. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to contact your healthcare provider, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing), seizures.

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider): Swelling or pain in your legs and arms, unusual tiredness, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, flushing, confusion, feeling faint or weak, fever, chest pain.

Other: Lightheadedness, diarrhea, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle or joint pain, trouble sleeping, cough, loss of appetite.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported. Tell your provider about any other medicines you take that affect the blood, such as epoetin (Procrit) or warfarin (Coumadin).

Do not drink alcohol while receiving this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in its original container in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.