Rasburicase increases the rate at which uric acid is broken down in the body.
Rasburicase is used to treat increased levels of uric acid caused by the breakdown of tumors
during treatment for some types of cancer.
Rasburicase may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rasburicase?
Do not take rasburicase without first talking to your doctor if you have glucose 6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Rasburicase should not be used by people with this deficiency.
Rasburicase is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether
rasburicase will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take rasburicase without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether rasburicase passes into breast milk. Do not take rasburicase
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take rasburicase?
Rasburicase should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare
provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with rasburicase
depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any
questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
Your doctor may want to admit you to the hospital for the first dose or doses of rasburicase to
monitor for any reaction.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical
evaluations during treatment with rasburicase to monitor progress and side effects.
Your healthcare provider will store rasburicase as directed by the manufacturer. If you are
storing rasburicase at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.
What happens if I miss a dose of rasburicase?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of rasburicase.
Where can I get more information about rasburicase?
Your pharmacist has information about rasburicase written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of rasburicase?
In rare cases, the use of rasburicase has been associated with blood problems
(methemoglobinemia, hemolytic reactions) and serious allergic reactions. Contact your doctor
immediately if you develop swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; chest pain; shortness of breath;
dizziness; hives; or bluish skin or lips. These may be symptoms of a serious reaction.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take rasburicase and
talk to your doctor if you experience:
diarrhea;
abdominal pain;
nausea or vomiting;
fever;
rash;
sores inside the mouth;
headache, or
constipation.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about rasburicase?
Do not take rasburicase without first talking to your doctor if you have glucose 6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Rasburicase should not be used by people with this deficiency.
In rare cases, the use of rasburicase has been associated with blood problems
(methemoglobinemia, hemolytic reactions) and serious allergic reactions. Contact your doctor
immediately if you develop swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; chest pain; shortness of breath;
dizziness; hives; or bluish skin or lips. These may be symptoms of a serious reaction.
What should I avoid while taking rasburicase?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with rasburicase unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
What other drugs will affect rasburicase?
Before taking rasburicase, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. You may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring if you are taking any other medications.
What happens if I have an overdose of rasburicase?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009