Aranesp ® is a drug that stimulates erythropoiesis, a physiological process that leads to the production of new red blood cells (GR). Its chemical structure and its functions closely follow the typical characteristics of human erythropoietin, a hormone naturally produced by the kidney that stimulates the production of erythrocytes (GR) in the spinal cord.
The Aranesp is produced by Amgen, an international company specialized in the field of biotechnology which, with the sponsorship of Lance Armstrong, organizes every year the California tour, an important stage in the professional cycling circuit. In 1984 Amgen was the first company to introduce recombinant erythropoietin (Epogen ®: epoetin alfa).
Compared to the old Epogen Aranesp has a duration of action three times higher. Thanks to this new drug patients require a lower number of administrations, passing from three to a single weekly injection.
Aranesp is a very popular drug in endurance sports such as endurance running and cycling. In these disciplines, the maximum oxygen carrying capacity assumes enormous importance in terms of athletic performance. A urine test can still unmask the athletes who use it.
The dose used varies according to the reasons of use and ranges from 0.45 micrograms / kg administered intravenously once a week (or 0.75 micrograms / kg once every 14 days) in patients with renal insufficiency, to 6, 75 micrograms / kg to be injected once every three weeks in cancer patients. Often in association with the Aranesp micronutrients are taken essential for the proliferation and maturation of red blood cells (iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid).
Aranesp is a very expensive drug, sold in vials with dosages ranging from 25 to 500 mcg per ml. In the United States, a pack of four 100 mcg vials costs about $ 1700.
Beyond the high cost should be the side effects of the drug to make anyone want to use the Aranesp to increase their athletic performance. Hypertension, headache, pain at the injection site, joint pain, flu-like symptoms and peripheral edema are the most common risks associated with the use of this drug.
When used by healthy, non-anemic people, Aranesp greatly increases the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. An excessive concentration of red blood cells in the blood facilitates the formation of thrombi which, once formed, can block blood vessels (thrombosis). This risk increases considerably in the event of dehydration, as is usually the case in endurance races held in hot-humid environments.
The most serious side effects of Aranesp also include cardiac arrhythmias, sudden death and brain damage (stroke).
Erythropoietin epo
