Darbepoetin/Aranesp

Re: Darbepoetin/Aranesp

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:44:28 GMT

I have been using epoetin for a long time (1000 iu vials for cats and 2000 iu for dogs) and its been perfectly efficacious although I'm pretty sure the decision was originally made on cost and ease of availability at the time. They are both recombinant erythropoetin alpha after all.

Re: Darbepoetin/Aranesp

Andrew Kent — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:44:23 GMT

Hi Luke,

The reason many people prefer darbepoietin is because it may be less likely to lead to anti-EPO antibodies which can be a problem in a small proportion of patients treated with erythro. It can also be given less frequently than erythro.

We have usually been able to get it from our usual supplier, just sometimes as a special order. If no luck with that I would suspect most human pharmacies should be able to get it so maybe try another one?

Andy

Re: Darbepoetin/Aranesp

Luke Ainsworth — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:33:20 GMT

I had written down a long time ago in an internal medicine lecture that it was the preferred form but no notes as to why!?

I'll give epoetin/eprex a go.

Thanks

Re: Darbepoetin/Aranesp

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:08:37 GMT

Why do you specifically want Darbopoetin? I use Epoeitin (Eprex) and my local pharmacy gets it in for me.