Darbesa 40mcg Injection

Composition Darbepoetin alfa (40mcg)
Rx Prescription Required
Pack vial of 1 Injection
Storage Store in a refrigerator (2 – 8°C). Do not freeze.
Chemical Class Amino Acids, Peptides Analogues
Action Class Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs)
Habbit Forming
Manufacturer Balint pharmaceuticals
Manufacturer address 431, Poonamalle High Road Aminjikarai Chennai – 600029

Darbesa 40mcg Injection is used in the treatment of anemia that may have occurred due to chronic kidney disease or chemotherapy. It works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.

Darbesa 40mcg Injection is a medicine that needs to be used with utmost care because it can lead to serious side effects. It is important that you seek treatment from a doctor who is experienced in providing this medical therapy. You should follow all the directions of the doctor strictly. It is given under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Common side effects include abdominal pain, high blood pressure, rash, injection site pain, breathlessness, cough, and peripheral edema. Inform your doctor if there are symptoms of very high blood pressure, such as severe headache, problems with your eyesight, nausea, vomiting, or fits (seizures).

Your doctor may get your blood tests done regularly to monitor the levels of salts (electrolytes such as potassium), hemoglobin, and blood cells in your blood. You should stop taking it and consult with a doctor if you develop shortness of breath or a skin rash.

Before taking Darbesa 40mcg Injection, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or have had a seizure or stroke. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor to make sure it is safe for you.

Treatment of Anemia due to cancer chemotherapy

Treatment of Anemia due to chronic kidney disease

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Darbesa 40mcg Injection is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA). It works by stimulating the bone marrow (soft tissue inside the bones which produces red blood cells) to produce more red blood cells.

Q: What if you forget to take Darbesa Injection?
A: If you miss a dose of Darbesa 40mcg Injection, consult your doctor.

Darbesa 40mcg Injection helps in the treatment of anemia that may have occurred due to chronic kidney disease or cancer chemotherapy.

It is given as a single injection under your skin; additionally, it can be given intravenously.

Your doctor may get your blood tests done regularly to monitor the levels of hemoglobin in your blood.

Stop taking Darbesa 40mcg Injection and inform your doctor if you develop shortness of breath or a skin rash.

Q. How long does it take for Darbesa 40mcg Injection to start working?

You will be able to notice an increase in the count of red blood cells (hemoglobin levels) in 2-6 weeks of starting Darbesa 40mcg Injection. If you have any other concerns, consult your doctor.

Q. Is Darbesa 40mcg Injection safe to use?

Darbesa 40mcg Injection is a medicine that needs to be used with utmost care because it can lead to serious side effects and even death of the patient. It is important that you seek treatment from a doctor who is experienced in providing Darbesa 40mcg Injection therapy. Follow all the directions strictly.

Q. Other than pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), can there be other reasons for not responding to Darbesa 40mcg Injection?

You may not respond to Darbesa 40mcg Injection if you have deficiencies of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12. It is important that you take measures to correct these deficiencies. Other reasons behind not responding to the treatment could be bleeding, infections, inflammation, and bone marrow fibrosis. Therefore, consult our doctor regarding the same.

Q. Can Darbesa 40mcg Injection be used in children?

Yes, Darbesa 40mcg Injection is used to treat anemia due to chronic kidney disease in children who are above 1 year of age. The effectiveness of Darbesa 40mcg Injection and side effects seen in children are similar to adults. However, consult your doctor if you are not sure.

Q. Can Darbesa 40mcg Injection affect blood pressure?

Yes, Darbesa 40mcg Injection can affect blood pressure. During initial therapy with Darbesa 40mcg Injection, blood pressure should be monitored and those who have high blood pressure should take appropriate measures to control blood pressure. Your doctor may stop Darbesa 40mcg Injection if the blood pressure remains uncontrolled.

Q. Who should not take Darbesa 40mcg Injection?

Individuals who have cancer but have not been prescribed Darbesa 40mcg Injection by the doctor should not take it. Additionally, patients with uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), patients with a history of anemia called pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) that starts after treatment with Darbesa 40mcg Injection or other erythropoietin medicines, and patients with a history of serious allergic reaction to this medicine should not take this medicine.

In Treatment of Anemia due to cancer chemotherapy

Low red blood cell count is termed as anemia. Cancer treatment with chemotherapy often causes many side effects, one of the major ones being anemia. Darbesa 40mcg Injection stimulates the production of red blood cells in bone marrow and regulates the haemoglobin in the blood. This treats anemia in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Abdominal pain

High blood pressure

Rash

Injection site pain

Breathlessness

Cough

Peripheral edema

Procedural hypotension (low blood pressure)

Convulsion

Thromboembolism

Angina (heart related chest pain)

Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Darbesa 40mcg Injection. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Darbesa 40mcg Injection may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Information regarding the use of Darbesa 40mcg Injection during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Driving:SAFE

Darbesa 40mcg Injection does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Darbesa 40mcg Injection is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Darbesa 40mcg Injection is recommended.

Liver:CAUTION

Darbesa 40mcg Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Darbesa 40mcg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Kaushansky K, Kipps TJ. Hematopoietic Agents: Growth Factors, Minerals, and Vitamins. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1071-72.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 358-59.
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