Abstract

ALFARO CUENCA, Antonia et al. The repercussion in our unit of a change in the form of administration of Epoetinum Alpha. Rev Soc Esp Enferm Nefrol [online]. 2004, vol.7, n.4, pp.12-15. ISSN 1139-1375.

Following the publication of the informative note of the Agencia Española del Medicamento (Spanish Agency of Medicine), which does not recommend the use of the subcutaneous path in administering Epoetinum alpha, in our unit we changed the form of administration to intravenous and drew up this study, where we intended to check the differences between both forms of administration. We carried out a 24-week random prospective study on a total 54 patients on an HD programme, who received two injections a week subcutaneously and went over to a prescription of the same dose of epoetinum alpha intravenously, with 3 doses a week. In week 8, 16 and 24 of the study, the following parameters were monitored: doses administered, haemoglobin, serum ferritin, weekly number of administrations and the cost of the treatment according to the free sale price of the product and including the cost of the nursing work. The results achieved confirm the lesser effectiveness of the intravenous administration of epoetinum alpha with respect to the subcutaneous, causing an increase in the doses administered and the weekly administration frequency for the treatment and maintenance of the anaemia, thus increasing the cost of the treatment.

Keywords : Haemodialysis; Anaemia; Apoetina Alpha; Form of administration.

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