Pegaspargase (Injection)

Pegaspargase (peg-AS-par-jase)

Treats cancer of the white blood cells (lymphoblastic leukemia).

Brand Name(s):

Oncaspar
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), a bleeding problem caused by taking L-asparaginase (Elspar®), or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to pegaspargase.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• An IM injection is a shot given in your muscle (upper arm, thigh, buttocks). An IV infusion is a bag of medicine connected to a long tube with a needle on the end of it. The needle is placed in your vein, usually inside your elbow or on the back of your hand or wrist. The medicine slowly drips from the bag through the tube and into your vein.
• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it is to be given.
• This medicine should be given by a person trained to give cancer chemotherapy medicine, such as a home care or oncology nurse.
• Avoid getting this medicine on the skin or in the eyes or breathing in the vapors.
• If this medicine gets on your skin or in your eyes, rinse the area for at least 15 minutes with large amounts of water.
• You should not use the medicine if it becomes cloudy or changes color. Do not shake the vial (bottle).

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a regular schedule. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• After a dose has been taken from the vial, the vial must be thrown away (do not save unused medicine). Throw the unused medicine away in a safe place so that children or animals cannot get to it.
• Store the medicine in the refrigerator, do not freeze. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking any medicine that affects blood clotting, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin®), warfarin (Coumadin®), or dipyridamole (Persantine®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
• Medicines that treat cancer can depress your body's immune system, which makes it easier to get infections. Try to stay away from people with colds or the flu.
• This medicine can increase the level of uric acid in your blood (which can worsen gout).
• Pegaspargase can increase the level of sugar in your blood and can worsen diabetes.
• You will need to stay at your doctor's office or clinic for one hour after receiving this medicine to make sure you do not have a reaction to it.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Trouble breathing, rash or hives
• Swelling of the lips or tongue
• Severe nausea and vomiting with stomach pain
• Unexplained fever, chills
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Unusual bleeding and bruising
• Pain or numbness in the legs

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Weakness, tired feeling
• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
• Injection site pain

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.