title: Safety of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in patients on dialysis: current issues for nephrology nurses.
abstract: Clinical data have repeatedly shown that the erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) Epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa are safe and efficacious to treat anemia in patients on dialysis when used in accordance with the product label The safety profile of ESAs has recently been updated based on reports from clinical investigations that studied off-label uses of ESAs at doses designed to raise the Hb to above 13.0 g/dL. This article reviews the recent safety data and the current prescribing recommendations, with an emphasis on the need to follow the guidelines found in the products' package inserts to ensure the safe and efficacious use of these agents.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Medical Affairs, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keen
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D004348:Drug Labeling; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000451:nursing; D017751:Safety Management
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa