• CKD-associated anemia:
    • Initially SC/IV 0.45mcg/kg/dose every week
    • Individualize dose every 1-2 weeks
  • Chemotherapy-related anemia with non-myeloid malignancies:
    • SC 2.25mcg/kg weekly OR SC 500mcg every 3 weeks
    • Discontinue if non-responsive after 8 weeks
  • Injection:
    • 25mcg/0.42 mL
    • 40mcg/0.40 mL
  • Do not increase the dose more frequently than once every 4 weeks
  • Avoid frequent dose adjustment
  • When initiating or adjusting therapy, monitor hemoglobin levels at least weekly until stable, then monitor at least monthly
  • Vigorous shaking may denature the drug

Hematopoietic Growth Factors

It stimulates erythropoiesis via division & differentation of progenitor cells in the bone marrow to induce the release of reticulocytes into the bloodstream to become erythrocytes

  • Infection
  • Hypertension
  • Hypotension
  • Muscle spasms
  • Myalgia
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • URI
  • Arrhythmia
  • Angina
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dyspnea
  • Peripheral edema
  • Arthralgia
  • Limb pain
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Vascular access thrombosis
  • Dizziness
  • Back pain
  • Pruritus
  • Injection site pain
  • Influenza-like symptoms
  • Fluid overload
  • Asthenia
  • CHF
  • Constipation
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Hypersensitivity to class/components
  • Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) that begins after treatment with darbepoetin alfa or other erythropoietin protein drugs

WARNING:

Increased risk of death and serious cardiovascular events when administered to target Hb >11 g/dL

Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) shortened overall survival and/or increased the risk of tumor progression in some clinical studies in patients with breast, head and neck, lymphoid, non-small cell lung and cervical cancers

None restricted

                          Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Can be used where benefit outweighs risk
Breastfeeding Can be used
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Derise 25mcg/0.42 mL Injection 1’s Hetero Biopharma Unisel Ltd
Derise 40mcg/0.40 mL Injection 1’s Hetero Biopharma Unisel Ltd