title: Once weekly treatment with epoetin-beta.
abstract: Studies have shown that both intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of epoetin-beta therapy are effective and well tolerated in the treatment of renal anaemia; however, the s.c. route provides enhanced efficacy with a lower dose compared with the i.v. route and it is more cost-effective. Epoetin dosing frequency is an important issue for health care professionals and patients. Recent studies have shown that epoetin-beta administered once weekly and once every 2 weeks can maintain stable target haemoglobin and haematocrit levels in dialysis patients. Such reduced dosing frequencies may improve patient satisfaction and compliance with treatment, and encourage patients to self-administer. Furthermore, less frequent dosing administration would be associated with economic benefits in terms of reduced nursing time in the clinic or out-patient setting. Where this is clinical practice, fewer injections and visits to the clinic should also improve patients' quality of life. A range of effective dosing regimens with epoetin-beta administered via either pre-filled syringes, multidose vials or injector pens allows physicians to tailor treatment to an individual patient's preference.
authors.affiliation: A. Manzoni Hospital, Lecco, Italy. nefrologia@ospedale.lecco.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Locatelli
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin