Aranesp: What to Expect, Side Effects, and More

If your red blood cell counts fall too low (anemia) during chemotherapy, you may experience severe fatigue and weakness. To address this and other side effects, your doctor may prescribe Aransep (chemical name: darbepoetin alfa). Aranesp is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent — it helps the body make red blood cells. 

Epogen and Procrit are other erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.

Warning: The safety of Aranesp and other erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in breast cancer patients is controversial, as these agents may shorten patient survival. You should discuss this with your health care provider if you have advanced (metastatic) breast cancer and Aranesp is being considered in your treatment.

See Aranesp prescribing information.

Normally, the hormone erythropoietin tells the body when more red blood cells are needed. Aranesp acts like erythropoietin to stimulate bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

Once your body has enough red blood cells, anemia symptoms such as weakness and fatigue should improve.

Aranesp is given as an infusion or as an injection once a week every one to three weeks. If your doctor decides a subcutaneous injection is best for you, you can administer it at home. 

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

Like many cancer medicines, Aranesp can cause side effects, some of them severe.

The most common side effects of Aranesp are:

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  headache

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  nausea

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  vomiting

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  abdominal pain

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  diarrhea

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  constipation

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  joint or muscle pain

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  injection site pain

Aranesp can also cause serious side effects, including:

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  blood clots

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  tumor growth/recurrence

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  heart problems

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  stroke

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  possible shortening of survival

If you have any symptoms of these serious conditions, call your doctor immediately. Symptoms include:

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  chest pain

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  shortness of breath

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  pain in your legs, with or without swelling

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  confusion, trouble speaking, or trouble understanding others’ speech

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  numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of your body

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  trouble seeing

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  dizziness or loss of balance or coordination

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  fainting

If you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should consider talking with your doctor about what your options might be. There isn’t enough research to know whether this drug could harm your unborn baby. Similarly, researchers don’t know whether the medicine passes through breast milk.

The cost of Aranesp may vary. The price you’ll pay depends on the drug manufacturer, your health insurance provider and plan, where you live, and the pharmacy you use. You may also be charged for the office visits required for Aranesp infusions. 

Note: Your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization before covering Aranesp. 

Learn more about financial assistance and medicine cost-lowering tips.