Pegaspargase, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: pegaspargase, injection; Oncaspar

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to treat a blood disease called acute lymphocytic (lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL).

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• bleeding problems
• liver disease
• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

This medicine may increase the risk of bleeding if you are also taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, dipyridamole (Persantine), or aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or ketoprofen (Orudis). Discuss this with your health care provider.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because it may harm the baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These shots are given by your health care provider, usually every 14 days. The injections are given into a muscle or large vein. You may need other medicines at various times in addition to this one.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause allergic reactions that are severe and life-threatening. Allergic reactions, if any, usually occur right after an injection. If you develop hives, itching, a rash, tightness in your chest, or trouble breathing after an injection, tell your health care provider right away.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your health care provider's approval first.

This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your health care provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Chest pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; black tarry stools; blood in urine; unusual bruising or bleeding; fever or chills; swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose.

Other: Sensitivity at the spot where injections are given, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chills, loss of appetite, headache, night sweats, muscle or joint pain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis)
• aspirin
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• dipyridamole (Persantine)
• heparin
• prednisone
• other chemotherapy agents such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), methotrexate, mercaptopurine (Purinethol), and vincristine (Oncovin).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.