Aranesp extra dosing for hemodialysis patients

[jo]

I read that the recommended dosage of Aranesp is once every 1 to 4 weeks. I am wondering if anyone has received extra doses of Aranesp (more than once in a week) to treat anemia and low hgb levels? Is it safe to get extra does of Aranesp in situations like this? Thanks.

[Riki]

I used to get it every 10 days... it's a slow release, or something along that line.. so that you don't have to have it as much as EPO... I haven't had a need for it in a few years.. not since my Pulmonary Hypertension episode in 2013...

EPO was something I used to get once a week, but that was when I was a child...

[solid98]

I used to get Aranesp shots, 25000 units once every 3-4 weeks. The insurance I have would only let them keep my hemoglobin under 10. After starting PD, they switched to IV iron once every 4 weeks and my hemoglobin is just over 11. My insurance would not cover IV iron at all, pre-dialysis. Aranesp and Procrit are insanely expensive, over $650 an injection at my Dr office. I wish I knew how much they are charging for the iron infusions.

[justagirl2325]

My husband started with once every four weeks, then every two weeks, and now it is once a week.  Haven't had the recommendation for more than once a week yet...

[Simon Dog]

Are you in the US?  If so, your ESAs should be included in the dialysis bundle.

I used to get Aranesp shots, 25000 units once every 3-4 weeks. The insurance I have would only let them keep my hemoglobin under 10. After starting PD, they switched to IV iron once every 4 weeks and my hemoglobin is just over 11. My insurance would not cover IV iron at all, pre-dialysis. Aranesp and Procrit are insanely expensive, over $650 an injection at my Dr office. I wish I knew how much they are charging for the iron infusions.

[solid98]

Are you in the US?  If so, your ESAs should be included in the dialysis bundle.

I used to get Aranesp shots, 25000 units once every 3-4 weeks. The insurance I have would only let them keep my hemoglobin under 10. After starting PD, they switched to IV iron once every 4 weeks and my hemoglobin is just over 11. My insurance would not cover IV iron at all, pre-dialysis. Aranesp and Procrit are insanely expensive, over $650 an injection at my Dr office. I wish I knew how much they are charging for the iron infusions.

Don't know what ESAs are, but, I am in the US. I was on Procrit and Aranesp before dialysis. Private insurance wouldn't cover iron infusions at all (pre dialysis). My hemoglobin was in the 7's at that time. They told me to take over the counter iron pills instead, but they WOULD cover the cost of the Procrit/Aranesp if the iron pills didn't work. Took two months before they approved the shots. The Neph office charged my insurance $650 per injection, but my copay was $54. My EOBs don't show any discount so I'm assuming they paid full price.

[Simon Dog]

Procrit and Aransep are  both ESAs. 

ESA info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythropoiesis-stimulating_agent

[jo]

Thanks everyone for sharing the information.