Asparaginase

Brand name:Elspar
b

 used to treat acute lymphocytic lymphoma. an antineoplastic agent. It works by decreasing the amount of asparagine in the body, which kills certain leukemia cells.

Actions -Inactivates the amino acid asparagine, which is required by tumor cells to synthesize DNA and essential proteins.
-Resistance

to cytotoxic effects of asparaginase develops

rapidly. -No apparent cross-resistance between asparaginase and other available antineoplastic agents.

How this drug is given: Aspariginase is given as an injection into a large muscle (intramuscular or IM). Depending on your dose, the medication may need to be divided into two injections. Also may be given into the vein as an infusion (intravenous or IV). This method has higher risk of allergic reaction so often a test dose is given first. There is no pill form of aspariginase.

How this drug works: All cells need a chemical called asparagine to stay alive. Normal cells can make this chemical for themselves, while cancer cells cannot. Asparaginase breaks down asparagine in the body. Since the cancer cells cannot make more asparagine, they die.

CONTRAINDICATIONS Serious allergic reactions to Elspar or other Escherichia coli-derived L-asparaginases Serious thrombosis with prior L-asparaginase therapy Pancreatitis with prior L-asparaginase therapy Serious hemorrhagic events with prior L-asparaginase therapy

The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication) Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period) Persistant upper abdominal pain or pain that worsens with eating Abdominal swelling Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period) Unusual bleeding or bruising Swelling, redness and/or pain in one leg or arm and not the other Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities) Yellowing of the skin or eyes Unusual thirst, need to urinate frequently Confusion, excessive sleepiness, hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there), agitation, or disorientation

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

ANAPHYLAXIS THROMBOSIS PANCREATITIS GLUCOSE INTOLERANE COAGULOPATHY HEPATOXICITY AND ABNORMAL LIVER FUNCTION

Precautions: Before starting asparaginase treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including prescription, overthe-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.). Do not receive any kind of immunization or vaccination without your doctor's approval while taking asparaginase. Asparaginase may be inadvisable if you have had a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to asparaginase. If you have had a reaction to Elspar, Erwinia L-asparaginase may be used with caution. Inform your health care professional if you are pregnant or may be pregnant prior to starting this treatment. Pregnancy category C (use in pregnancy only when benefit to the mother outweighs risk to the fetus). For both men and women: Do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking asparaginase. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended. Discuss with your doctor when you may safely become pregnant or conceive a child after therapy. Do not breast feed while taking this medication. Those who have a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) should not be treated with asparaginase.

Monitoring and testing: You will be checked regularly by your doctor while you are taking asparaginase, to monitor side effects and check your response to therapy. Periodic blood work to monitor your complete blood count (CBC), blood clotting factors, pancreatic enzymes, blood sugar as well as the function of other organs (such as your kidneys and liver) will also be ordered by your doctor.