Aranesp®

As part of my dialysis treatment, I get bi-weekly injections of Aranesp. I believe it’s to help with anemia. I got a few syringes from the PD nurse today and decided to Google: https://www.aranesp.com/

Good grief. The landing page of the website begins is basically all warnings.

• In patients with breast, non-small cell lung, head and neck, lymphoid, and cervical cancers: Your tumor may grow faster and you may die sooner if you choose to take Aranesp.
• Serious heart problems, such as heart attack or heart failure, and stroke. You may die sooner if you are treated with Aranesp to increase red blood cells (RBSs) to near the same level found in healthy people.
• Blood clots may happen at any time while taking Aranesp.
• A huge list of symptoms

I know all drugs have side effects and you hope the good effects outweigh the bad effects. I don’t know… this Aranesp sounds pretty nasty.