Home Delivery of Aranesp (darbepoetin) for treatment of Renal Anaemia

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1 Home Delivery of Aranesp (darbepoetin) for treatment of Renal Anaemia Exceptional healthcare, personally delivered

2 Why have I been prescribed Aranesp? Your kidneys naturally produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) which helps your bone marrow to make red blood cells. In patients with kidney disease, your kidneys may not produce enough of this hormone and you can become anaemic. Aranesp (darpepoetin) is an artificial replacement of this hormone. You will be prescribed Aranesp if you have become anaemic as a result of chronic kidney disease. What is anaemia? Anaemia is when your blood does not contain enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body to all organs and tissues. We can measure your haemoglobin which is an indicator of how many red blood cells you are making. If you become anaemic the symptoms you may suffer from include tiredness, weakness and shortness of breath. Where do I get Aranesp from? Prescriptions will be issued by the Renal Unit. Depending on the urgency of starting treatment, you will either be given a prescription to be dispensed at the hospital pharmacy or you will be set up on a home delivery system. How does home delivery work? The delivery company will telephone you to arrange a convenient time for delivery. In some circumstances, Aranesp can be delivered to your local pharmacy or to your GP surgery. The delivery company will contact you on a two monthly basis to determine if a further supply is needed and arrange delivery. If you are expecting a delivery and it does not arrive. Please contact the delivery company. 2 Home delivery of Aranesp for the treatment of Renal Anaemia

3 Will I be trained to use Aranesp? The nurses in Renal Outpatients will usually show you or your carer how to administer the injection under the skin (like an insulin injection). If this is not possible then we may ask the nurses at your GP surgery to show you. If you or your carer is not able to administer the injections then you may need to make an appointment at your GP surgery to have the injection administered. How should I store Aranesp? It is very important that Aranesp is stored correctly; otherwise it may become harmful or ineffective. It must be stored in a refrigerator between 2 0 C and 8 0 C. It must not be frozen. If you think that the injections have frozen, do not use them and contact the Renal Unit. Will I need blood tests? It is very important that the effect of the Aranesp injections is monitored closely. Your haemoglobin needs to be maintained between 10 and 12 g/dl. Blood tests will be taken every time you come to Renal Outpatients. You may also need to have blood tests at your GP surgery in between clinic visits. Your doctor will tell you and your GP how often these should be taken. What do I need to do after I have had my bloods taken at my GP surgery? The Renal Unit need to know that blood tests have been taken so that the results can be reviewed and any dose adjustments made to the Aranesp injections. When you have had a blood test taken at your GP surgery, please telephone your consultant s secretary on (0117) to let them know that you have had a blood test. Home delivery of Aranesp for the treatment of Renal Anaemia 3

4 How will I know what dose to use? When you start treatment your doctor will tell you what dose to administer and how often. Your dose may be adjusted after your blood tests and your doctor will usually write to you or contact you by telephone. To prevent wastage they may ask you to inject yourself more or less frequently until we can arrange for a delivery. If you do not know what dose to take or need further advice please contact the renal unit. Will any other treatment be needed? Your body needs good supplies of iron and vitamins to make red blood cells. Absorption of iron from your diet and iron tablets can be very poor and therefore your doctor may ask you to attend the Renal Day Case Unit to have an infusion of iron. Other supplements may be required and your doctor will discuss this with you if necessary. What are the side effects of Aranesp? If your symptoms get worse after starting Aranesp and you suffer from an unusual tiredness or lack of energy this may be due to a very rare side effect of Aranesp. Please contact the Renal Unit immediately. Other side effects include increases in blood pressure, soreness around the site of injection and rarely blood clots. If you experience any of these adverse effects or anything else which you think may be related please contact your consultant or in an emergency please contact your out of hours GP or call an ambulance. 4 Home delivery of Aranesp for the treatment of Renal Anaemia

5 References NICE Guidance: Anaemia Management in Chronic Kidney Disease (CG 114) Aranesp (Amgen) Patient Information Leaflet last updated 24/3/11 NHS Constitution. Information on your rights and responsibilities. Available at constitution [Last Accessed March 2010] Home delivery of Aranesp for the treatment of Renal Anaemia 5

6 How to contact us: Consultant Secretary If you or the individual you are caring for need support reading this leaflet please ask a member of staff for advice. North Bristol NHS Trust. First Published September Review due September NBT002521