PEGASPARGASE - INJECTION

PEGASPARGASE - INJECTION

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (peg-ASP-are-gace)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Oncaspar

GENERIC NAME(S): pegaspargase

Uses

USES: This medication is usually used with other anti-cancer (chemotherapy) drugs to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), especially in patients who are allergic to L-asparaginase. It works by starving tumor cells of a certain amino acid (asparagine), causing the tumor cells to die.


How to use PEGASPARGASE - INJECTION

HOW TO USE: This medication is given by injection into a vein or a muscle by a health care professional. Dosage is based on your body size and response to treatment.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or pain/swelling/redness at injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: severe stomach/abdominal pain, signs of an infection (e.g., fever), increased thirst/urination, easy bruising/bleeding, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, pain/redness/swelling/numbness/tingling of the arms or legs. Get medical help right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headache, seizures, slurred speech, confusion, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug can occur. Get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before using pegaspargase, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to L-asparaginase; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: history of a serious reaction to L-asparaginase (e.g., bleeding, blood clots, pancreatitis), diabetes, clotting/bleeding disorders, liver disease, pancreatitis. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose. Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. To lower your risk of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports. This drug may rarely make your blood sugar rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (e.g., "blood thinners" such as warfarin/heparin, anti-platelet drugs including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen).

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

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Faq for PEGASPARGASE - INJECTION

PEGASPARGASE is an injectable medication used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells.

PEGASPARGASE works by breaking down the amino acid asparagine, which cancer cells need to grow and survive. By reducing the levels of asparagine in the body, PEGASPARGASE helps to inhibit the growth of leukemia cells.

PEGASPARGASE is given as an injection into a muscle or vein by a healthcare professional. The specific dosage and frequency of administration will depend on the patient's condition and the treatment plan prescribed by their doctor.

Common side effects of PEGASPARGASE may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, rash, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and changes in blood clotting. It is important to report any severe or persistent side effects to a healthcare provider.

PEGASPARGASE should not be used in patients with a history of allergic reactions to this medication or any of its components. It is also important to inform the healthcare provider about any other medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements being taken as they may interact with PEGASPARGASE.

The duration of PEGASPARGASE treatment will vary depending on the individual patient and their response to therapy. It is typically given as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen, and the overall treatment duration will be determined by the treating physician.

The use of PEGASPARGASE during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be discussed with a healthcare provider. It is important to consider the potential risks and benefits of treatment in these situations.

If a dose of PEGASPARGASE is missed, it is important to contact the healthcare provider for further instructions. It is generally not recommended to administer a double dose to make up for a missed one.

PEGASPARGASE should be stored according to the instructions provided by the pharmacist or healthcare provider. It is usually stored in a refrigerator, but should not be frozen. Always check the expiration date before using the medication.



Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.