Treats certain kinds of leukemia and other cancers
Brand Names:
Elspar
Contraindications:
You should not get this medicine if you have pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or had an allergic reaction to asparaginase
Uses:
Injectable
This medicine, like all medicines used to treat cancer, is very strong. Make sure you understand why you are getting it and what the risks and benefits of treatment are. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor.
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it will be given.
You may get your medicine through a tube that is put in your vein, usually in your arm, wrist, or hand and sometimes in your chest. This is called intravenous (in-tra-VEEN-us), or IV.
Or you may get the medicine in a shot given in a muscle, usually in your buttock, upper arm, or thigh. This is called intramuscular (in-tra-MUSS-cue-lar), or IM.
A nurse or other caregiver trained to give cancer drugs will give your treatment.
You probably will get your medicine at a hospital or clinic so the results of your treatment can be watched closely.
If a dose is missed:
This medicine needs to be given on a regular schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or the clinic where you get your treatments for instructions.
Storage:
If you have your treatments at home, you may need to store the medicine. Keep the medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
If you get your treatments at home, you should be given a special container for the used needles, medicine bag or bottles, and tubes. Keep it where children or pets cannot reach it.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
You should not use aspirin or any product that has aspirin in it (such as some cold medicines) unless you have talked to your doctor.
Talk to your doctor before getting any vaccines (such as flu shots).
Warnings:
Do not breastfeed while you are getting this medicine.
Asparaginase can increase the level of sugar in your blood. Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes or high blood sugar.
You may have a test before you start your treatments to see if you are allergic to the medicine.
Do not get pregnant while you or your sexual partner are receiving asparaginase. Use an effective form of birth control while you are getting this medicine.
If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before you start your treatments.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
