Substance / Medication

Darbepoetin alfa

SNOMED 385608005 UMLS C0937950

Overview

Active Ingredient

darbepoetin alfa

RxNorm CUI

283838

Labeler: Amgen IncUpdated: 2024-12-06T00:00:00.000ZFull label on DailyMed

Boxed Warning

FDA Black Box Warning

Chronic Kidney Disease: Cancer: In controlled trials, patients experienced greater risks for death, serious adverse cardiovascular reactions, and stroke when administered erythropoiesis -stimulating agents (ESAs) to target a hemoglobin level of greater than 11 g/dL [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5

Contraindications

When this intervention should not be used

Aranesp is contraindicated in patients with: [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Uncontrolled hypertension. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) that begins after treatment with Aranesp or other erythropoietin protein drugs. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Se

Indications & Related Conditions

Conditions associated via SNOMED clinical relationships

Anemia

Administration & Protocol

Dosing, route, and treatment protocol

Detailed dosage and administration information is available in the full FDA drug label.

View full prescribing information on DailyMed

Monitoring & Follow-Up

Biomarkers relevant to this intervention via related conditions

Iron

LOINC 2498-4

secondary

Erythrocytes

LOINC 4544-3

primary

Hemoglobin

LOINC 718-7

primary

Research Evidence

Published studies and systematic reviews

Sort:

Efficacy and safety of daprodustat versus darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of anemia in chronic renal failure: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Pang Shuyue, Wang Zhongtian, Fu Yanyan et al. · J Pharmacol Sci · 2025

PMID: 40121059Meta-Analysis

Efficacy and safety of vadadustat compared to darbepoetin alfa on anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis.

Huang Qiong, Liao Zhenyi, Liu Xiaoyan et al. · Int Urol Nephrol · 2023

PMID: 35960479Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis of epoetin beta and darbepoetin alfa treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia and mortality: Individual patient data from Japanese randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Ohashi Yasuo, Uemura Yukari, Fujisaka Yasuhito et al. · Cancer Sci · 2013

PMID: 23331490Meta-AnalysisFull text (PMC)

Pooled analysis of individual patient-level data from all randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia.

Ludwig Heinz, Crawford Jeffrey, Osterborg Anders et al. · J Clin Oncol · 2009

PMID: 19380447Meta-Analysis

The relative dosing of epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa in chronic kidney disease.

Cremieux Pierre-Yves, Van Audenrode Marc, Lefebvre Patrick · Curr Med Res Opin · 2006

PMID: 17257447Meta-Analysis

Safety and Efficacy of Vadadustat Versus Darbepoetin Alfa for Chronic Kidney Disease-Related Anemia in Patients Receiving Dialysis by Baseline Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Dose.

Jardine Alan, Burke Steven K, Luo Wenli et al. · Hemodial Int · 2026

PMID: 41376433RCTFull text (PMC)

Darbepoetin alfa to reduce transfusion episodes in infants with haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn who are treated with intrauterine transfusions in the Netherlands: an open-label, single-centre, phase 2, randomised, controlled trial.

Ree Isabelle M C, de Haas Masja, van Geloven Nan et al. · Lancet Haematol · 2023

PMID: 38030319RCT

Higher hemoglobin levels using darbepoetin alfa and kidney outcomes in advanced chronic kidney disease without diabetes: a prespecified secondary analysis of the PREDICT trial.

Maruyama Shoichi, Kurasawa Shimon, Hayashi Terumasa et al. · Clin Exp Nephrol · 2023

PMID: 37289335RCTFull text (PMC)

Overall Adverse Event Profile of Vadadustat versus Darbepoetin Alfa for the Treatment of Anemia Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease in Phase 3 Trials.

Agarwal Rajiv, Anand Sanjeev, Eckardt Kai-Uwe et al. · Am J Nephrol · 2022

PMID: 36450264RCTFull text (PMC)

Comparative Effects of Pegylated Erythropoietin and Darbepoetin Alfa on Erythropoietin Hyporesponsive Anemia of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Nand Nitya, Nandan Raghu, Jain Deepak · J Assoc Physicians India · 2021

PMID: 34781656RCT

Research data from MEDLINE/PubMed

Benefits & Expected Outcomes

Benefits, expected outcomes, efficacy data, and NNT (Number Needed to Treat) are pending physician authorship and evidence review.

Risks & Side Effects

Adverse reaction and safety data for this drug is sourced from the FDA-approved label.

View adverse reactions & drug interactions on DailyMed

Related Symptoms

Symptoms associated with conditions this intervention addresses

No related symptoms have been mapped yet. Symptom linkages are derived through associated conditions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

Alternative treatments, comparison data, and clinical decision support are pending physician authorship.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment plan.

Do not start, stop, or change any treatment without consulting your healthcare provider.

Specialists

Providers who commonly manage this intervention

Internal Medicine Physician

Internal Medicine

NUCC 207R00000X

Hematology (Internal Medicine) Physician

Internal Medicine — Hematology

NUCC 207RH0000X

Find a Provider

Health Goals

Goals connected through associated conditions

Improve Energy Levels Optimize Iron and Blood Health

Quick Facts

Type: Substance / Medication
Fully Specified Name: Darbepoetin alfa (substance)
SNOMED CT: 385608005
UMLS CUI: C0937950
RxNorm CUI: 283838
Labeler: Amgen Inc

Clinical Data

This intervention maps to 8 entities in the Healos knowledge graph.

Conditions

Biomarkers

Specialists

Symptoms

Data is sourced from SNOMED CT, UMLS, and the Healos clinical knowledge graph. Content sections marked as pending require physician authorship. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any treatment.