darbepoetin alfa
NowPatient helps you obtain your darbepoetin alfa prescription for free or at low-cost. Drug savings programs are suitable for individuals who are insured, don't have insurance or are underinsured and can't afford your medicine.
Manufactured by various FDA-approved generic manufacturers.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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Lower the cost of your darbepoetin alfa prescription
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darbepoetin alfa key facts
What dosages is darbepoetin alfa available in?
darbepoetin alfa is available in:
- 25 mcg, 40 mcg, 60 mcg, 100 mcg, 200 mcg and 300 mcg single-dose vials
- 10 mcg/0.4 mL, 25 mcg/0.42 mL, 40 mcg/0.4 mL, 60 mcg/0.3 mL, 100 mcg/0.5 mL, 150 mcg/0.3 mL, 200 mcg/0.4 mL, 300 mcg/0.6 mL, and 500 mcg/1 mL single-dose prefilled syringes.
What is darbepoetin alfa used for?
darbepoetin alfa is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) that is used to treat:
- Anemia due to chemotherapy
- Anemia due to chronic kidney disease (dialysis and non-dialysis)
How does darbepoetin alfa work?
darbepoetin alfa is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA). It works similarly to a naturally-occurring hormone in our body (erythropoietin). Erythropoietin sends a signal to our body to make more red blood cells.
How do I take darbepoetin alfa?
Your provider will determine your dose based on factors such as your body weight, age, and hemoglobin level.
Anemia due to chemotherapy
- The typical starting dose is 2.25 mcg/kg injected under the skin every week, or 500 mcg every 3 weeks until chemotherapy is finished
Anemia due to CKD
- Adults (not receiving dialysis): The typical recommended starting dose is 0.45 mcg/kg body weight injected under the skin or through the veins once every 4 weeks
- Adults (receiving dialysis): The typical recommended starting dose is 0.45 mcg/kg body weight injected under the skin or through the veins once a week, or 0.75 mcg/kg injected once every 2 weeks
- Children: The typical recommended starting dose is 0.45 mcg/kg body weight injected under the skin or through the veins once a week. If not receiving dialysis, the usual starting dose is 0.75 mcg/kg injected once every 2 weeks
Is it safe for me to take darbepoetin alfa?
darbepoetin alfa is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication in the following:
Uncontrolled hypertension.
Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) that begins after treatment with darbepoetin alfa or other erythropoietin protein drugs.
Serious allergic reactions to darbepoetin alfa.
darbepoetin alfa Common Side Effects
Common side effects of darbepoetin alfa:
- High blood pressure
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling in the hands and legs
- Cough
darbepoetin alfa Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with darbepoetin alfa. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Seizures
- Heart attack: chest pain, stomach discomfort, sweating, nausea, dizziness
- Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, trouble seeing, headache, difficulty walking
- Dangerously high blood pressure: nausea, vomiting, confusion, dizziness, blurry vision, anxiety
- Heart failure: tiredness, weakness, trouble breathing, swelling in the ankles and feet, chest pain
- Serious allergic reaction: swelling of the face or tongue, throat tightening, trouble breathing, welts, skin rash
- Serious skin reactions: fever, sore throat, tiredness, trouble swallowing, cough, body aches, rash, peeling or blistering skin
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on darbepoetin alfa
There are no major drug interactions listed for darbepoetin alfa. However, always let your physician and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking.
Who makes darbepoetin alfa?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is darbepoetin alfa safe in pregnancy?
It is not known if darbepoetin alfa may harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about possible pregnancy and birth control choices that are right for you.
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effects in the USDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my darbepoetin alfa prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your darbepoetin alfa prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient darbepoetin alfa savings programs work?
After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.
Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.
Are the NowPatient darbepoetin alfa savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.
| Rx Advantage Card* for darbepoetin alfa | Canadian Prescription Savings* for darbepoetin alfa | darbepoetin alfa Drug Coupon* | darbepoetin alfa Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Insured (federal, state or government) | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured (Commercial or Private) | Available | Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Uninsured | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
*This is not insurance.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of darbepoetin alfa?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for darbepoetin alfa | Canadian Prescription Savings* for darbepoetin alfa | darbepoetin alfa Drug Coupon* | darbepoetin alfa Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Brand | Yes | Yes | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Generic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*This is not insurance.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the darbepoetin alfa savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the darbepoetin alfa drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.
If you are denied Medicaid for darbepoetin alfa, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the darbepoetin alfa prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, darbepoetin alfa is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed darbepoetin alfa for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the darbepoetin alfa prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.
If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the darbepoetin alfa prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?
If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:
1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for darbepoetin alfa
If you are having trouble paying for your darbepoetin alfa medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for darbepoetin alfa you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- darbepoetin alfa is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
- You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
- You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers darbepoetin alfa
- If darbepoetin alfa is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications
You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.
2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for darbepoetin alfa
If you are having trouble paying for your darbepoetin alfa medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for darbepoetin alfa you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You live in and are being treated in the United States
- You are insured and your plan covers darbepoetin alfa
- If darbepoetin alfa is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications
You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.
3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for darbepoetin alfa
Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your darbepoetin alfa treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for darbepoetin alfa you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for darbepoetin alfa
- You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
- You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
- Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
- Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.
You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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