Asparaginase is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows
their growth and spread in the body.
Asparaginase is used to treat acute lymphocytic lymphoma.
Asparaginase may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking asparaginase?
Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to asparaginase or pegaspargase
(Oncaspar), or if you have a history of pancreas problems.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
liver disease;
gout;
diabetes (asparaginase can raise blood sugar); or
if you are being treated with other cancer medications.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether asparaginase is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether asparaginase passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take asparaginase?
Asparaginase is given as an injection through an IV needle placed into a vein, or as a shot into a
muscle. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The IV medicine must be given
slowly, and it can take up to 30 minutes to complete.
Before you receive your first treatment with this medication, you may need a skin test to make
sure you are not allergic to asparaginase.
Asparaginase can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it
easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your
blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any
scheduled visits to your doctor.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain thyroid tests. Tell any doctor
who treats you that you are receiving asparaginase.
What happens if I miss a dose of asparaginase?
Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment for your asparaginase injection.
Where can I get more information about asparaginase?
Your pharmacist has information about asparaginase written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of asparaginase?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Even if you have received asparaginase without reaction in the past, you
may have an allergic reaction to the medication when you receive it again.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea
and vomiting, fast heart rate;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech,
or balance;
increased thirst or urination;
agitation, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions);
tremors, muscle stiffness; or
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all.
Less serious side effects may include:
mild skin rash or itching;
depression, drowsiness;
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss;
stomach cramps; or
headache, feeling tired or irritable.
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 asparaginase?
Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to asparaginase or pegaspargase
(Oncaspar), or if you have a history of liver disease or pancreas problems. Tell your doctor about all
other cancer medications you are receiving.
Get emergency medical help if you think you have received too much of this medicine, or if
you have any of these
signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing;
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Even if you have received asparaginase without reaction in the past, you
may have an allergic reaction to the medication when you receive it again.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of the following side effects during your treatment with
asparaginase:
severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea
and vomiting, fast heart rate;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech,
or balance;
agitation, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions); or
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Asparaginase is highly toxic and both the powder and solution must be
handled with care. Avoid inhaling vapors from the medicine, or allowing the medicine to come into
contact with your skin, eyes, nose, or mouth. If the medicine gets on your skin, wash the area right
away with soap and water. If the medicine gets into your eyes, rinse them for at least 15 minutes with
water, saline, or other irrigating solution and seek emergency medical attention.
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your
doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
What should I avoid while taking asparaginase?
Asparaginase is highly toxic and both the powder and solution must be handled with care.
Avoid inhaling vapors from the medicine, or allowing the medicine to come into contact with your skin,
eyes, nose, or mouth. If the medicine gets on your skin, wash the area right away with soap and water.
If the medicine gets into your eyes, rinse them for at least 15 minutes with water, saline, or other
irrigating solution and seek emergency medical attention.
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your
doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
What other drugs will affect asparaginase?
Before receiving Asparaginase, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar);
prednisone (Deltasone, Meticorten, Orasone, and others);
or
methotrexate (Folex, Rheumatrex, Trexall).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
asparaginase. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of asparaginase?
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.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009