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Aranesp This page contains recent news articles, when available, and an overview of Aranesp (darbepoetin) but does not offer medical advice. You should contact your physician with regard to any health issues or concerns. Why is Aranesp prescribed? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Darbepoetin alfa is used to treat anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells) in people with serious kidney disease. Darbepoetin alfa is also used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy (medications used to treat cancer) in patients with some types of cancer. Darbepoetin alfa is in a class of medications called erythropoietic proteins. It works by causing the bone marrow (soft tissue inside the bones where blood is made) to make more red blood cells. Recent news articles mentioning Aranesp Analysis: Amgen's Aranesp may be safe  -  21 Feb 2007 Science Daily (press release) 20 (UPI) -- Amgen shares slipped Friday after it was revealed a trial involving Aranesp was halted early due to an increased risk of recurrence of tumors in Biotech Day in Review: Shire Buys New River for $2.6 Billion  -  21 Feb 2007 Seeking Alpha, Amgen (AMGN) took a 3% hit last week, largely as the result of fallout from concerns about Aranesp, its anemia drug. In a cancer trial in Denmark, Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) - Results of Aranesp ...  -  Feb 18, 2007 DG News Patients treated with Aranesp had a higher death rate and no reduction in the need for transfusions compared to those treated with placebo. New Aranesp safety concerns seen in cancer trial  -  Feb 17, 2007 China Post, Amgen Inc.'s multibillion-dollar anemia drug Aranesp is facing further safety concerns after a medical newsletter reported on Friday that a Danish study of New Aranesp safety concerns seen in cancer trial  -  Feb 16, 2007 Canada.com, NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amgen Inc.'s multibillion-dollar anemia drug Aranesp is facing further safety concerns after a medical newsletter reported on Friday New Aranesp safety concerns seen in cancer trial  -  Feb 16, 2007 Reuters O: Quote, Profile, Research) multibillion-dollar anemia drug Aranesp is facing further safety concerns after a medical newsletter reported on Friday that a Amgen's tough-guy boss  -  Feb 19, 2007 LA Observed, SM: Your anemia drugs Epogen and Aranesp, which make up half of Amgen's $12.4 billion in sales, are under some serious competitive attack. Amgen Stock Down Amid Drug Study Discussion  -  Feb 18, 2007 ABC30.com, 18 - Shares of Amgen Inc. slipped more than 2 percent Friday as the company met with analysts to discuss a study that found its best-selling drug Aranesp Amgen's Latest Mess  -  Feb 16, 2007 Forbes, The study of 500 patients with head and neck cancer, conducted in Denmark, was testing whether the anemia drug Aranesp could be used as a treatment for the Amgen stock down as study discussed  -  Feb 17, 2007 FinanzNachrichten.de, ...'We strongly believe, as we have consistently stated, that Aranesp and Epogen are safe and effective medicines when used in accordance with label Amgen Under Fire For Failure to Disclose New Safety Concerns for ...  -  Feb 17, 2007 Biologic Drug Report, The Danish study of the use of the drug to treat head and neck cancer was halted after the patients who received Aranesp proved 10 percent more likely to Trial of Amgen drug was halted  -  Feb 17, 2007 Los Angeles Times, Amgen shares fell 2% Friday after the company disclosed that an independent study of its lucrative anemia drug Aranesp was halted in October because Aranesp® to Be Used Only for Cancer Patients with Anemia Caused by ...  -  Jan 31, 2007 Cancer Consultants (press release), According to Amgen and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agent Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) should only be used for its approved Study Fails to Demonstrate Effectiveness of Aranesp® in Anemia of ...  -  Jan 31, 2007 Cancer Consultants (press release), Medications such as Procrit® (epoetin alfa) and Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) stimulate the body to produce more red blood cells, ultimately reducing anemia FMC, Amgen in 3-yr commercial deal for anaemia drug Aranesp UPDATE  -  Feb 1, 2007 Forbes, KGaA said it has entered a new three-year commercial agreement with California-based drug maker Amgen Inc regarding anaemia treatment Aranesp. Amgen’s Anemia Drug Aranesp Carries Risk in Cancer Patients  -  Jan 29, 2007 Newsinferno.com, Amgen conducted a clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of Aranesp on patients whose anemia was caused by cancer, hoping to expand the approved Amgen Warns of Mortality Risk for Off-Label Use of Aranesp  -  Jan 29, 2007 MedPage Today, 29 -- For cancer patients with anemia not caused by chemotherapy, the off-label use of Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) is ineffective and also boosts mortality, Amgen stock down amid discussion of drug study  -  Feb 16, 2007 Lakeland Ledger, Shares of Amgen Inc. slipped more than 2 percent Friday as the company met with analysts to discuss a study that found its best-selling drug Aranesp was not Amgen stock down amid discussion of drug study  -  Feb 16, 2007 Worcester Telegram, ..."We strongly believe, as we have consistently stated, that Aranesp and Epogen are safe and effective medicines when used in accordance with label Aranesp Alert  -  Jan 30, 2007 Facts and Comparisons, Amgen announced the results from a large, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study that demonstrated a lack of effect of Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) Aranesp Ineffective in Anemia Not Caused by Chemotherapy  -  Jan 29, 2007 Medscape (subscription) ..."Aranesp is not approved for use in this population," Sean Harper, MD, senior vice president of global development and corporate chief medical officer at UPDATE 1-Amgen says higher death risk seen in Aranesp trial  -  Jan 25, 2007 Reuters O: Quote, Profile , Research) on Thursday reported negative findings in studies of its Aranesp anemia drug and its Vectibix colon cancer treatment, Aranesp Data Eclipse Amgen's Fourth-Quarter Revenue Growth  -  Jan 26, 2007 BioWorld Online, Despite topping revenue estimates for the fourth quarter, Amgen's Inc.'s stock slipped more than $3 on news of unsettling Phase III Aranesp data. 'Increased Risk of Death' Seen for Some Cancer Patients Treated ...  -  Jan 25, 2007 Biologic Drug Report, Biologics like Aranesp, whose active ingredient is a protein called erythropoietin, are used to treat anemia by boosting the body's production of red blood Amgen says higher death risk seen in Aranesp trial  -  Jan 25, 2007 Reuters O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday disclosed negative findings in studies of its Aranesp anemia drug and Vectibix colon cancer treatment, UPDATE 2-Amgen says higher death risk seen in Aranesp trial  -  Jan 25, 2007 Reuters O: Quote, Profile , Research) on Thursday disclosed negative findings in studies of its Aranesp anemia drug and Vectibix colon cancer treatment, Amgen stock down amid concerns over anemia drug study  -  Feb 16, 2007 CBS 47, The study showed unexpectedly high death rates for patients taking Aranesp. The drug was not shown to be effective in treating cancer patients with anemia Amgen stock down amid discussion of drug study  -  Feb 16, 2007 Therapeutics Daily (subscription) (press release), ...that found its best-selling drug Aranesp was not significantly better than a placebo in aiding certain cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment. How should Aranesp be used? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Darbepoetin alfa comes as a solution (liquid) to inject subcutaneously (just under the skin) or intravenously (into a vein). It is usually injected once a week or once every two weeks. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use darbepoetin alfa exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of darbepoetin alfa and gradually increase or decrease your dose, not more than once every month. Your doctor may also tell you to stop using darbepoetin alfa for a time. Follow these instructions carefully. If your doctor tells you to stop using darbepoetin alfa, do not begin using it again until your doctor tells you that you should. It is likely that your doctor will restart your treatment with a lower dose of darbepoetin alfa than you were using. Darbepoetin alfa controls anemia but does not cure it. It may take 2 to 6 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of darbepoetin alfa. Continue to use darbepoetin alfa even if you feel well. Do not stop using darbepoetin alfa without talking to your doctor. Darbepoetin alfa injections are usually given by a doctor or nurse. Your doctor may decide that you can inject darbepoetin alfa yourself, or that you may have a friend or relative give the injections. Your doctor will train the person who will be injecting the medication and will test him to be sure he can give the injection correctly. Be sure that you and the person who will be giving the injections read the manufacturer's information for the patient that comes with darbepoetin alfa before you use it for the first time at home. Darbepoetin alfa comes in prefilled syringes and also in vials to use with disposable syringes. Use vials and prefilled or disposable syringes only once. Do not put a needle through the rubber stopper of a vial more than once. Throw away a vial, syringe, or prefilled syringe after one use, even if it is not empty. Throw away used syringes in a puncture-resistant container, out of the reach of children. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to throw away the puncture-resistant container. There may be special state and local laws for throwing away used needles and syringes. If you are using vials of darbepoetin alfa, you will need to use disposable syringes to inject your medication. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you what type of syringe you should use. Do not use any other type of syringe because you may not get the right amount of medication. Always inject darbepoetin alfa solution in its own syringe; never mix it with any other medication. If you are injecting darbepoetin alfa subcutaneously, you can inject it just under the skin anywhere on these parts of your body: the outer area of your upper arms, your stomach except for the two-inch area around your navel (belly button), the front of your middle thighs, and the upper outer areas of your buttocks. Choose a new spot each time you inject darbepoetin alfa. Do not inject darbepoetin alfa into a spot that is tender, red, bruised, hard, lumpy, or swollen, or that has scars or stretch marks. To prepare a dose using a darbepoetin alfa prefilled syringe, follow these steps: Do not prepare your dose until just before you are ready to inject it. Find a clean, flat work surface such as a table that is out of the reach of children. Tear off one syringe (in wrapper) from the packaging and put the others back in the refrigerator. Keep the syringe in its wrapper until you are ready to prepare your dose. Handle the syringes gently and be careful not to shake them. If you do shake a syringe and the solution looks foamy, do not use that syringe. Put the syringe on the flat work surface for about 30 minutes to allow it to reach room temperature. Cover the syringe to protect the liquid from light. Set out the following supplies for your injection: alcohol wipe, cotton ball, and puncture-proof needle disposal container. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Look at the prefilled syringe to check the expiration date and strength and to make sure the grey needle cover is on and the clear yellow plastic needle guard is covering the barrel of the syringe. If the expiration date has passed, the strength is not what your doctor prescribed, or the needle is not covered, do not use the syringe and call your pharmacist. Look at the syringe to make sure the liquid is clear and colorless. Do not use the syringe if the liquid appears foamy, discolored, or cloudy, or if it contains lumps, flakes, or particles. Do not slide the needle guard over the needle cover before injecting the medication. Choose a spot where you will inject darbepoetin alfa, and clean it with an alcohol swab. Hold the syringe with the needle pointing up and carefully pull the needle cover straight off. Be careful not to touch the uncovered needle or to let the uncovered needle touch any surface as you continue to prepare your dose. Keep the syringe with the needle pointing up and slowly push the plunger to the line on the syringe that is equal to the dose your doctor has prescribed. Check the syringe for air bubbles. If there are air bubbles, gently tap the syringe with your fingers until the air bubbles rise to the top of the syringe. Slowly push the plunger up to force the air bubbles out of the syringe. Check again to make sure you have the correct dose in the syringe. Follow the steps below to inject darbepoetin alfa subcutaneously or intravenously. To prepare a dose using a vial of darbepoetin alfa, follow these steps: Do not prepare your dose until just before you are ready to use it. Find a clean, flat work surface such as a table that is out of the reach of children. Remove a vial of darbepoetin alfa from the refrigerator, and put it on the flat work surface for about 30 minutes to allow it to reach room temperature. Cover the vial to protect it from light. Do not shake the vial. If you do shake a vial and the solution looks foamy, do not use that vial. Look at the vial of darbepoetin alfa to check the expiration date and strength. If the expiration date has passed, or the strength is not what your doctor prescribed, do not use the vial and call your pharmacist. Look at the vial to make sure the liquid is clear and colorless. Do not use the vial if the liquid appears foamy, discolored, or cloudy, or if it contains lumps, flakes, or particles. Set out the following supplies for your injection: alcohol wipes, cotton ball, disposable syringe, and puncture-proof needle disposal container. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Take the colored cap off of the vial and clean the rubber stopper with one alcohol wipe. Check the package of the disposable syringe to make sure it has not been opened or damaged. If the package has been opened or damaged, do not use that syringe, and throw it away in the puncture-proof container. If the syringe package is undamaged, open the package and remove the syringe. Pull the needle cover straight off the syringe. Then, pull back on the plunger to the line on the syringe barrel that is equal to the dose of darbepoetin alfa your doctor has prescribed. Be careful not to touch the uncovered needle or to let the uncovered needle touch any surface as you continue to prepare your dose. Keep the vial on the flat work surface and insert the needle straight down through the rubber stopper. Push the plunger of the syringe down to inject the air from the syringe into the vial. Keep the needle inside the vial and turn the vial upside down. Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the darbepoetin alfa liquid. Use one hand to hold the vial upside down. Use your other hand to slowly pull back on the plunger until the top of the plunger is even with the number that matches the dose your doctor told you to inject. Keep the vial upside down with the needle in the vial. Check for air bubbles in the syringe. If there are air bubbles, gently tap the syringe with your fingers until the air bubbles rise to the top of the syringe. Then slowly push the plunger up to force the air bubbles out of the syringe. Keep the tip of the needle in the liquid and once again pull the plunger back to the number on the syringe that matches your dose. Check the syringe again for air bubbles. If there are still air bubbles, repeat the steps above to remove them. Check to make sure the top of the plunger is even with the number that matches your dose. Lay the vial on its side on the flat work surface with the needle still in it to keep the needle from touching anything while you prepare your skin for the injection. Choose the spot where you will inject darbepoetin alfa, and clean it with an alcohol swab. Check again to make sure you have the correct dose in the syringe. Pull the needle straight out of the vial. To inject darbepoetin alfa subcutaneously, follow the steps above to prepare your dose from a prefilled syringe or vial of darbepoetin alfa and then follow the steps below to inject your dose: If you are using a disposable syringe, hold it by the barrel in one hand. If you are using a prefilled syringe, hold the barrel through the needle guard window. Use the other hand to pinch up a fold of skin at the cleaned injection spot. Hold the syringe barrel like a pencil and use a quick, "dart-like" motion to insert the needle either straight up and down (90 degree angle) or at a slight angle (45 degrees) into the skin. After the needle is inserted, let go of the skin. Pull the plunger back slightly. If no blood appears, slowly push the plunger all the way down until your dose of darbepoetin alfa is injected. If blood comes into the syringe, do not inject darbepoetin alfa. Pull the syringe straight out and throw it away in the puncture-proof container. Put a cotton ball over the injection spot and press for a few seconds to stop any bleeding. Repeat the steps to choose and clean a new spot for injection and prepare a new dose. Remember to check again for blood before injecting darbepoetin alfa. When your dose has been injected, pull the needle out of the skin, put a cotton ball over the injection site, and press for several seconds. Do not put the needle cover back on the needle. Keep your hands behind the needle at all times. If you are using a prefilled syringe, you can use the needle guard by holding the finger grip of the syringe with one hand, grasping the needle guard with your free hand, and sliding it completely over the needle until the needle guard clicks into place. If you do not hear a click, the needle guard may not be completely activated. Throw away the entire syringe in a puncture-proof container. If you are being treated with hemodialysis and your doctor has told you to inject darbepoetin alfa into your hemodialysis tubing, follow the steps above to prepare your dose from a prefilled syringe or vial of darbepoetin alfa, and then follow the steps below to inject your dose intravenously: Clean the venous port of your hemodialysis tubing with a new alcohol swab. Insert the needle of the syringe containing your prepared dose into the cleaned venous port and push the plunger all the way down to inject all the darbepoetin alfa. Remove the syringe from the venous port. Throw away the syringe in a puncture-proof container. Other uses for Aranesp [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Before taking balsalazide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to balsalazide, aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Tricosal, Trilisate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Nuprin Backache, Mobidin, Extra Strength Doan's, others), mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Rowasa), salsalate (Argesic-AS, Disalcid, others), sodium salicylate, sodium thiosalicylate (Rexolate), sulfasalzine (Azulfidine), or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially oral antibiotics and vitamins and herbal products. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease or pyloric stenosis (a condition in which the stomach empties slowly). tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking balsalazide, call your doctor. What side effects can Aranesp cause? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Darbepoetin alfa may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: headache upset stomach vomiting stomach pain diarrhea constipation joint, arm, or back pain redness, swelling, bruising, itching or a lump at the spot where you injected darbepoetin alfa Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: leg pain, swelling, or redness muscle aches or soreness coughing up blood cough that doesn't go away hives rash itching difficulty breathing or swallowing wheezing hoarseness swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs sweating blue-grey color or darkening around mouth or nails dry mouth sunken eyes decreased urination fast heartbeat irregular heartbeat dizziness fainting blurred vision temporary confusion slow or difficult speech weakness or numbness of an arm or leg loss of memory or ability to concentrate seizures fever, sore throat, chills, cough, and other signs of infection chest pain or tightness shortness of breath weakness extreme tiredness or lack of energy feeling cold most of the time pale skin You should know that darbepoetin alfa and other erythropoiesis stimulating medications may increase the risk that you will develop severe or life-threatening heart or blood vessel problems such as swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; heart attack or heart failure; high blood pressure; seizures; strokes; and blood clots in your heart, legs, or lungs, especially if you have heart disease. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using darbepoetin alfa. You should know that people with cancer who use darbepoetin alfa may have an increased risk of developing blood clots in their veins or lungs. If you have cancer, talk to your doctor about the risks of using darbepoetin alfa. Darbepoetin alfa may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems or you do not feel well while taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088]. Brand names for Aranesp [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Aranesp®