Asparaginase (Systemic)

Brand Names : Elspar, Kidrolase, colaspase

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects will have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel. Your doctor may watch for others by doing certain tests. Some of the unwanted effects that may be caused by asparaginase are listed below. Although not all of these effects may occur, if they do occur, they may need medical attention.

Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Joint pain; puffy face; skin rash or itching; stomach pain (severe) with nausea and vomiting; trouble in breathing

Less common

Frequent urination; swelling of feet or lower legs; unusual thirst

Rare

Fever or chills; headache (severe); inability to move arm or leg; infection; pain in lower legs; unusual bleeding or bruising

Check with your health care professional as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Confusion; drowsiness; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); lower back or side pain; mental depression; nervousness; sores in mouth or on lips; unusual tiredness

This medicine may also cause the following side effect that your doctor will watch for:

More common

Bleeding problems; liver problems

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Headache (mild); loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting; stomach cramps; weight loss

After you stop receiving asparaginase, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Headache (severe); inability to move arm or leg; stomach pain (severe) with nausea and vomiting

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.