Aranesp

Brand name: Aranesp

Chemical name: Darbepoetin alfa

Class: Erythropoiesis stimulating agent. Epogen and Procrit are other erythropoiesis stimulating agents.

How it works: Erythropoiesis stimulating agents cause bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

Uses: Aranesp is used to treat anemia, a lower than average number of red blood cells, that can be caused by chemotherapy.

• Aranesp is given at the same time as chemotherapy.
• Aranesp treatment stops when chemotherapy stops.

How it's given: Aranesp is given intravenously or as an injection once a week every 1 to 3 weeks.

Side effects:

• blood clots
• tumor growth/recurrence
• heart problems
• stroke
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• constipation
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• injection site pain