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Aranesp® is indicated for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure, including patients on dialysis and patients not on dialysis.
Important Safety Information, including Boxed WARNINGS
WARNINGS: INCREASED MORTALITY, SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS,
THROMBOEMBOLIC EVENTS, STROKE and INCREASED RISK OF TUMOR PROGRESSION OR RECURRENCE
Chronic Renal Failure:
- In clinical studies, patients experienced greater risks for death, serious cardiovascular events, and stroke when administered erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to target hemoglobin levels of 13 g/dL and above.
- Individualize dosing to achieve and maintain hemoglobin levels within the range of 10 to 12 g/dL.
Cancer:
- ESAs shortened overall survival and/or increased the risk of tumor progression or recurrence in some clinical studies in patients with breast, non-small cell lung, head and neck, lymphoid, and cervical cancers.
- To decrease these risks, as well as the risk of serious cardio- and thrombovascular events, use the lowest dose needed to avoid red blood cell transfusion.
- Because of these risks, prescribers and hospitals must enroll in and comply with the ESA APPRISE Oncology Program to prescribe and/or dispense Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) to patients with cancer. To enroll in the ESA APPRISE Oncology Program, visit www.esa-apprise.com or call 1-866-284-8089 for further assistance.
- Use ESAs only for treatment of anemia due to concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
- ESAs are not indicated for patients receiving myelosuppressive therapy when the anticipated outcome is cure.
- Discontinue following the completion of a chemotherapy course.
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- Aranesp® is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
- Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) participating in clinical studies experienced greater risks for death, serious cardiovascular events, and stroke when administered erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to target hemoglobin levels of 13 g/dL and above.
- Patients with CRF and an insufficient hemoglobin response to ESA therapy may be at even greater risk for cardiovascular events and mortality than other patients.
- These events included myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, and hemodialysis vascular access thrombosis.
- A rate of hemoglobin rise of > 1 g/dL over 2 weeks may contribute to these risks.
- Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and of severe anemia, with or without other cytopenias, associated with neutralizing antibodies to erythropoietin have been reported in patients treated with Aranesp®.
- This has been reported predominantly in patients with CRF receiving ESAs by subcutaneous administration.
- PRCA has also been reported in patients receiving ESAs while undergoing treatment for hepatitis C with interferon and ribavirin.
- A sudden loss of response to Aranesp®, accompanied by severe anemia and low reticulocyte count, should be evaluated.
- If anti-erythropoietin antibody-associated anemia is suspected, withhold Aranesp® and other ESAs. Aranesp® should be permanently discontinued in patients with antibody-mediated anemia. Patients should not be switched to other ESAs as antibodies may cross-react.
- Seizures have occurred in patients with CRF participating in Aranesp® clinical trials.
- The most commonly reported side effects in clinical trials in patients with CRF were infection, hypertension, hypotension, and muscle spasm.
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