title: The efficacy of intravenous darbepoetin alfa administered once every 2 weeks in chronic kidney disease patients on haemodialysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is becoming increasingly more common to administer intravenous (i.v.) darbepoetin alfa to haemodialysis (HD) patients at less frequent dosing intervals in routine clinical practice. This study investigated extending the dosing interval for i.v. darbepoetin alfa treatment from once a week (QW) to once every 2 weeks (Q2W) at the same dose in order to maintain target haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations (11-13 g/dl).
  
  
  METHODS
  Stable HD patients in routine clinical practice receiving i.v. darbepoetin alfa QW for a period of 6 months (n = 105) (treatment period 1) were switched to i.v. Q2W darbepoetin alfa for a further 6 months (treatment period 2) (n = 90). The dose of i.v. darbepoetin alfa was titrated to maintain Hb concentrations between 11 and 13 g/dl throughout the full 12-month study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean change in Hb for treatment period 2 was 0.04 +/- 1.1 g/dl (+/-SD), which was not clinically relevant (11.7 +/- 0.8 g/dl vs 11.7 +/- 1.0 g/dl; P = 0.8). The mean weekly doses of darbepoetin alfa were similar throughout the treatment periods (34.0 +/- 17.1 microg/week vs 32.1 +/- 17.3 microg/week; P = 0.3, respectively for QW and Q2W dosing). Intravenous darbepoetin alfa was well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment of renal anaemia in HD patients with i.v. Q2W darbepoetin alfa effectively and safely maintains Hb concentrations at a less frequent dosing regimen than observed with QW administration. Dose requirements for i.v. darbepoetin alfa administered QW or Q2W were not different. The results of this study demonstrate that i.v. darbepoetin alfa administered Q2W is an effective regimen for HD patients requiring anaemia treatment in routine clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Dialysis Unit, Eurodial, Rua da Carrasqueira, 19 Parceiros 2400-441 Leiria, Portugal. fcarrera@mail.telepac.pt
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carrera
authors.forename: Lino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.forename: Candido
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D002097:C-Reactive Protein