Studies have compared Aranesp to
epoetin alfa (a similar medication) for treating anemia caused by chronic kidney failure. These studies evaluated the efficacy of the medications by measuring the level of hemoglobin (a protein found in red blood cells). These studies showed that Aranesp once weekly produced similar results as epoetin twice weekly. However, Aranesp once weekly seemed to be slightly less effective than epoetin alfa three times a week.
Aranesp has also been studied for treating anemia caused by chemotherapy in people with cancer. In one study, the efficacy of Aranesp was evaluated by measuring the percentage of people who needed a blood transfusion to treat anemia. In this study, only 26 percent of people taking Aranesp needed a blood transfusion, compared to 60 percent of those not taking the medication.
When and How to Take Aranesp
General considerations for when and how to take Aranesp include the following:
- Aranesp comes as an injection that is given under the skin (subcutaneously) or by IV infusion.
- Aranesp is usually given once a week, once every two weeks, or once every three weeks, depending on several factors.
- In some situations, you may be able to give yourself Aranesp injections (under the skin, not by IV) at home. In this situation, your healthcare provider should teach you exactly how to give yourself the injections.
- Never shake Aranesp, as it is a delicate molecule that could be damaged by shaking.
- You will need regular blood tests while taking Aranesp to see how well the drug is working.
- It is very important that your body has enough iron, otherwise Aranesp cannot work well. Your healthcare provider may recommend iron supplements in some situations.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
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