Aranesp Dosage

The recommended Aranesp dosage for treating anemia due to chemotherapy is either 500 mcg once every three weeks or 2.25 mcg per kg of body weight once a week. For the treatment of anemia caused by chronic kidney failure, many people start with 0.45 mcg per kg of body weight. Your healthcare provider will gradually increase your Aranesp dose until your hemoglobin reaches 12 g/dL.

 

Aranesp Dosage: An Introduction

The dose of Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The cause of your anemia (chemotherapy or kidney failure)
  • How you respond to Aranesp (as measured by blood tests)
  • Your weight
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As always, do not adjust your Aranesp dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Aranesp Dosing for Anemia Due to Kidney Failure

The recommended starting Aranesp dose for treating anemia due to chronic kidney failure is based on weight, 0.45 mcg per kg of body weight (equivalent to about 0.2 mcg per pound) once a week. Your healthcare provider will check your progress frequently, using a blood test that measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood (hemoglobin is a good way to measure anemia) and will adjust your dose in order to gradually increase your hemoglobin up to 12 g/dL. Your dose should not be increased more frequently than once a month, in order to give Aranesp a chance to work. If your hemoglobin increases too quickly or too much, your healthcare provider should decrease your dose. In some people, Aranesp will need to be given just once every two weeks.
 
Aranesp can be given as an injection under the skin (a subcutaneous injection) or by an IV. For people on dialysis, the IV method is usually best.
(Aranesp Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;