Table 2.

ESA Dosing (The doses contained in the FDA label as of March 2007 [shown below] have been revised. The November 8, 2007 FDA label is shown in Table 3.)

Dose & Modifications	Epoetin Alfa		Darbepoetin Alfa
Initial Dose	150 U/kg SC TIW	40,000 U SC Weekly	2.25 mcg/kg SC Weekly	500 mcg SC Q3W
Dose Increases	Increase dose to 300 U/kg TIW if no reduction in transfusion requirements or rise in Hb after 8 wk	Increase dose to 60,000 U SC weekly if no increase in Hb by ≥1 g/dL after 4 wk of therapy, in the absence of a RBC transfusion	Increase dose to 4.5 mcg/kg if there is <1 g/dL increase in Hb after 6 wk	N/A
Dose Reductions	Decrease dose by 25% when Hb approaches 12 g/dL or Hb increases > 1 g/dL in 2 wk		Decrease dose by 40% of previous dose when Hb exceeds 11 g/dL or Hb increases > 1 g/dL in 2 wk
Dose Withholding	If Hb exceeds 12 g/dL, withhold dose until Hb < 11 g/dL; restart dose at 25% below previous dose		If Hb exceeds 12 g/dL, withhold dose until Hb = 11 g/dL; restart dose at 40% below previous dose

NOTE. Table appears as Table 6 in the full guideline.

Abbreviations: ESA, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent; FDA, US Food and Drug Administration; SC, subcutaneous; TIW, three times per week; Q3W, every 3 weeks; Hb, hemoglobin; wk, week.