The efficacy of monthly administration of darbepoetin alfa in Saudi hemodialysis patients

Abstract

BACKGROUNDErythropoiesis‐stimulating agents have improved the outcome and quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease.OBJECTIVEWe investigated the efficacy and safety of conversion of hemodialysis patients from epoetin beta to darbepoetin alfa administered once a month.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 26 patients. Their mean age was 47.0 6 17.13 years with a mean hemodialysis duration of 55.8 ± 14.0 months. The study was carried out in 2 consecutive phases of 12 weeks each. The mean initial dose of darbepoetin was 57 ± 10.0 mg biweekly. After maintaining target hemoglobin (Hgb) levels—(11–12 g/L)—with the biweekly injections, we shifted our patients to a once‐monthly dose schedule.RESULTSThe mean weekly darbepoetin dose increased from 28.75 ± 4.2 mg during the biweekly phase to 38.5 ± 3.9 mg after switching to the monthly protocol (the mean conversion ratio changed from 309:1 to 256:1). The mean Hgb level was 10.81 ± .86 g/L at the start of the study and 10.86 ± .76 g/L at the end of 6 months.CONCLUSIONOur experience with darbepoetin alfa reveals that it is effective and safe for the treatment of anemia in hemodialysis patients even at monthly dose intervals.

Darbepoetin alfa: review in the management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease

“…Dosage schedule of monthly administration has significant potential to improve the compliance because of the convenience to patients. 28 A retrospective study involving 150 adult patients on chronic hemodialysis receiving darbepoetin to achieve target hemoglobin levels of 11-13 g/dL proved its efficacy. 29 Darbepoetin has also been studied in patients on peritoneal dialysis who were switched from epoetin alfa.…”