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NDT Plus 2009 2(Supplement 1):i9-i17; doi:10.1093/ndtplus/sfn175
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© The Author [2009].
The online version of this article has been published under an open access model. Users are entitled to use, reproduce, disseminate, or display the open access version of this article for non-commercial purposes provided that: the original authorship is properly and fully attributed; the Journal and Oxford University Press are attributed as the original place of publication with the correct citation details given; if an article is subsequently reproduced or disseminated not in its entirety but only in part or as a derivative work this must be clearly indicated. For commercial re-use, please contact journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

This article appears in the following NDT Plus issue: Key Insights into Present and Future Treatments of Anaemia in CKD Patients [View the issue table of contents]

Use of darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of anaemia of chronic kidney disease: clinical and pharmacoeconomic considerations

Fernando Carrera1 and Michel Burnier2

1 Dialysis Unit, Eurodial, Euromedic, Leiria, Portugal
2 University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

Correspondence: Fernando Carrera, Dialysis Unit, Eurodial, Euromedic, Leiria, Portugal. Tel: +351-91-736-75-15; Fax: +351-244-819022; E-mail: fcarrera{at}mail.telepac.pt


  Abstract

The introduction of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) into everyday clinical practice has greatly improved the care of patients with chronic kidney disease. ESAs have reduced the need for blood transfusions, improved survival, decreased cardiovascular complications and enhanced patient quality of life. The longer acting ESA, darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp®), which can be administered less frequently than traditional ESAs, provides further benefits to both patients and healthcare professionals relative to the epoetins. Clinical studies have shown that darbepoetin alfa administered once every 2 weeks or once every month allows enhanced convenience and cost savings with no compromise in efficacy, while maintaining patients within target haemoglobin ranges.

Key Words: anaemia correction • chronic kidney disease • erythropoiesis-stimulating agents • pharmacoeconomics

Received for publication September 19, 2008. Accepted for publication October 21, 2008.


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