Extended dosing of darbepoetin alfa in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis: a review of recent data.

Anemia is a common and serious complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can be successfully and safely treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating proteins (ESPs). Darbepoetin alfa, a long-acting ESP, can be dosed less frequently than Epoetin alfa, thereby reducing the burden on patients and health care staff. This review summarizes recent clinical data supporting use of darbepoetin alfa at extended dosing intervals of once every 2 weeks and once monthly in patients with CKD not on dialysis.