Darberel 40 Injection belongs to the class of medication called 'blood-forming agent'  primarily used to treat anaemia (low red blood cell count) in person with long-term serious (chronic) kidney disease and persons receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer (except for bone marrow or blood cells' cancer). Darberel 40 Injection helps to reverse anaemia and reduce the need for blood transfusion. Anaemia occurs when the body has a lower amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin. In chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood, leading to anaemia.

Darberel 40 Injection contains a protein 'Darbepoetin alfa' which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Darberel 40 Injection is a biologic response modifier and erythropoiesis-stimulating protein. In chronic kidney disease, when the kidney fails to produce sufficient 'erythropoietin protein' which aids in the formation of red blood cells, Darberel 40 Injection stimulates the production of this protein in the bone marrow. 

Darberel 40 Injection will be injected by the healthcare provider. Do not self-administer. The most common side effects of Darberel 40 Injection are shortness of breath,  cough, low blood pressure during dialysis, headache, body aches, diarrhoea, injection site pain and abdominal pain. Most of these sides effects of Darberel 40 Injection do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.

If you have uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure or red cell aplasia (a type of anaemia) due to darbepoetin alfa or epoetin alfa, please inform your doctor before taking Darberel 40 Injection to avoid any complications. Also, mention all the other medications you are taking to affect the way Darberel 40 Injection works. Inform your doctor immediately, if you feel weak, lightheaded, tired, or short of breath, or if your skin looks pale as it may be signs that the body has stopped responding to Darberel 40 Injection . 

Darberel 40 Injection is a human-made form of naturally occurring erythropoiesis-stimulating protein or erythropoietin (a hormone produced by the kidney's specialized cells and is responsible for protecting red blood cells against destruction and also stimulates the cells of bone marrow to produce more amount of red blood cells). Deficiency of erythropoietin happens when a person is suffering from chronic kidney diseases, which in turn cause low red blood cells count causing anaemia.  This medicine is primarily indicated for treating anaemia (low red blood cell count) in persons with long-term serious (chronic) kidney disease and persons receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer except for bone marrow or blood cells' cancer. Darberel 40 Injection contains a protein 'Darbepoetin alfa' which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. 

Darberel 40 Injection can enhance the risk of serious heart problems including heart attack so tell your doctor immediately if you notice shortness of breath, sudden numbness or weakness, chest pain, or trouble speaking or understanding. This medicine may also shorten survival time in some people with certain types of cancer. Inform your doctor before taking Darberel 40 Injection if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke, heart attack, blood clot, seizure, or latex allergy. Do not take Darberel 40 Injection if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Darberel 40 Injection may affect a person's ability to drive as it may cause convulsion during initial days of treatment, so a person taking Darberel 40 Injection should avoid driving or operating any machine. Darberel 40 Injection should not be given to children below 12 years of age, as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Darberel 40 Injection as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. 

• Certain diagnostic tests like Complete blood count (CBC) can help check the count of red blood cells.
• Have regular haemoglobin tests to check whether there is an improvement in the level of red blood cells after taking Darberel 40 Injection or not.