Updated warning for Aranesp and similar drugs

[Birgitta-A]

Hi all,
Unfortunately Aranesp and similar drugs seem to give more complications and EMEA (corresponding to FDA in Europe) is updating the warning:

http://www.emea.europa.eu/pdfs/human/press/pr/33396308en.pdf
Kind regards
Birgitta-A

[Marlene]

Thanks for posting this.

Marlene

[Birgitta-A]

Hi Marlene,
The question of giving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents like Aranesp is very complicated :confused:. From one of the other four support groups I belong to we got this abstract today:
http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/715?etoc

The insurance companies will probably be still more restrictive with permission to give Aranesp in the future.
Kind regards
Birgitta-A

[Zoe's Life]

I think this is the same info the US looked at several months ago. There was debate about whether or not it affected MDS patients. It was decided it did not present a problem for MDS (and I think other non-tumor cancers).

Zoe

[Birgitta-A]

Hi Zoe,
I hope you are right but this sentense makes me wonder: "Epoetin-containing medicines are indicated in patients with chronic renal failure and for the treatment of anaemia in symptomatic patients with non-myeloid tumours receiving chemotherapy."
Kind regards
Birgitta-A

[Zoe's Life]

Birgitta,

The US warnings said the same thing. Using it for MDS is an off-lable use, although after all this time I don't know why it still is.

Zoe