Darbepoetin

Generic name
Darbepoetin
Brand name
ATC Code
B03XA02
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Darbepoetin

Dosages
Side effects in children
Warnings & precautions in children
Contra-indications in children

Interactions
PK
Renal impairment
References

Pharmacokinetics in children

Darbepoetin has a longer T½ compared to erythropoietin: administer once weekly.

dose recommendation of formulary compared to licensed use (on-label versus off-label)

No information is present at this moment.

Available formulations

No information is present at this moment.

Dosages

Anaemia in terminal renal insufficiency
  • Intravenous
    • 1 month up to 18 years
      [2]
      • Corrective phase 0.45 microg./kg/week in 1 dose Increase/decrease as necessary by 25% every 4 weeks. Maintenance dose:    Increase/decrease the dose by 25% every 2 weeks if necessary depending on the effect.

        In the maintenance phase, lower the dosing frequency to once every 2 weeks (or once every month for patients aged ≥11 years who are not undergoing dialysis) if necessary. Before lowering the frequency, first give a dose that is equal to twice the previous dose.  .
        • Haemoglobin target value between 10 g/dl (6.2 mmol/l) and 12 g/dl (7.5 mmol/l). Measure Hb once every 1-2 weeks until stable values have been achieved.
        • Children aged < 6 years might need a higher dose.
        • Conversion factor when switching from erythropoietin to darbepoetin: darbepoetin dose in micrograms = dose of erythropoietin in IU divided by 240.
  • Subcutaneous
    • 1 month up to 18 years
      [2]
      • Corrective phase 0.45 microg./kg/week in 1 dose Alternative for patients who don't have a central venous cathether or are not undergoing dialysis: 0.75 mcg/kg/dose once every 2 weeks.
        Increase/decrease as necessary by 25% every 4 weeks. Maintenance dose: Increase/decrease the dose by 25% every 2 weeks if necessary depending on the effect. In the maintenance phase, lower the dosing frequency to once every 2 weeks (or once every month for patients aged ≥11 years who are not undergoing dialysis) if necessary. Before lowering the frequency, first give a dose that is equal to twice the previous dose..
        • Haemoglobin target value between 10 g/dl (6.2 mmol/l) and 12 g/dl (7.5 mmol/l). Measure Hb once every 1-2 weeks until stable values have been achieved.
        • Children aged < 6 years might need a higher dose.
        • Conversion factor when switching from erythropoietin to darbepoetin: darbepoetin dose in micrograms = dose of erythropoietin in IU divided by 240.

Renal impaiment in children > 3 months

GFR ≥10 ml/min/1.73m2: Dose adjustment not required.

GFR <10 ml/min/1.73m2: A general recommendation on dose adjustment cannot be provided.

The complete list of all undesirable drug reactions can be found in the national Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – click here

Side effects in children

The side effect profile in children with CKI does not differ from adults. (SmPC Aranesp)

The complete list of all contra-indications can be found in the national Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – click here

Contra-indications

No information available on specific contra indications in children.

The complete list of all warnings and precautions can be found in the national Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – click here

Warnings & precautions in children

In renal insufficiency, the iron reserves have to be sufficient before starting the treatment. Iron supplements should be given during treatment.

Interactions

The complete list of all interactions can be found in the national Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – click here

OTHER ANTIANEMIC PREPARATIONS

This pages provides a list of drugs from the same ATC class for comparison. This does not necessarily mean that these drugs are interchangeable.

Other antianemic preparations
B03XA01
B03XA01

References

  1. Rademaker C.M.A. et al, Geneesmiddelen-Formularium voor Kinderen, 2007
  2. Amgen Europe BV, SmPC Aranesp (EU/1/01/185/001-111) Rev 45; 11/11/2022, www.ema.europa.eu

Changes

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring


Overdose