How is aranesp administered?

How is Aranesp given by injection?

Aranesp is given by injection under the skin or into a vein. Patients or caregivers can be trained to give the dose at home once the first few injections are done under medical supervision. The injection comes ready to use in a single-use syringe or prefilled syringe.

Why do patients sometimes choose subcutaneous versus intravenous dosing?

Subcutaneous injection into the skin is slower than an intravenous one into a vein. It allows home administration and is more convenient for patients who travel to a clinic every week. Intravenous dosing is usually done in a dialysis unit or clinic because it requires a needle into a vein and a nurse or doctor to monitor the response.

What happens if a patient misses a dose or takes extra doses?

If a patient misses a dose, they should take it as soon as possible unless the next scheduled week arrives. If they take too many doses, they can spook the blood pressure or raise hemoglobin too fast, which increases stroke risk. Patients should call their doctor rather than double up on any missed dose.

What dosage schedule does Aranesp follow?

Aranesp works slower than older EPO products such as Epogen. It has a longer half-life, so many patients receive only every-other-week dosing. For anemia in chronic kidney disease, the dose starts at 0.45 mcg/kg once weekly or 0.75 mcg/kg twice monthly. The dose is adjusted every four weeks based on hemoglobin response.

When does Aranesp's patent expire?

Aranesp's patent expires in 2024. [1]