Asparaginase is used to treat acute lymphocytic lymphoma.
Asparaginase may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not receive this medicine if you have ever used asparaginase and it caused severe bleeding, allergic reaction, pancreatitis, or blood clot.
Asparaginase can increase your risk of blood clot or stroke. Call your doctor at once if you have sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, chest pain, pain or swelling in your leg, or if you cough up blood.
You may also develop liver or pancreas problems. Call your doctor at once if you have loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
You should not receive this medicine if you have ever used asparaginase and it caused severe bleeding, allergic reaction, pancreatitis, or blood clot.
To make sure asparaginase is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver disease;
- diabetes (asparaginase can raise blood sugar);
- a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
- history of stroke; or
- history of pancreatitis.
It is not known whether asparaginase passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Asparaginase Side Effects
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:
- severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
- sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
- chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood;
- pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;
- severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, confusion, change in mental status, vision loss, seizure (convulsions);
- dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss).
- increased thirst and urination.
Asparaginase Interactions
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
This medicine can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit, semen, vaginal fluid). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Patients and caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.
Body fluids should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. Use condoms during sexual activity to avoid exposure to body fluids.
Other drugs may interact with asparaginase, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
Asparaginase Dosage
Asparaginase is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.This medicine is usually given three times per week.
While using asparaginase, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment for your asparaginase injection.
