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
