MedlinePlus Drug Information: Pegaspargase

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Other drug names:	A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9

Pegaspargase

(peg as' par jase)

Brand name(s): Oncaspar
Other name(s): PEG-l-asparaginase

Contents of this page:
About your treatment Precautions Side effects	In case of emergency/overdose Special instructions

About your treatment

Your doctor has ordered the drug pegaspargase to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a large muscle or vein.

This medication is used to treat:

acute lymphocytic leukemia

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pegaspargase is in a class of drugs known as enzymes; it slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.

Precautions

Before taking pegaspargase,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pegaspargase or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, aspirin-substitute products, dipyridamole (Persantine), heparin, and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had pancreatitis, bleeding problems, or diabetes.
you should know that pegaspargase may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. However, you should not assume that you cannot get pregnant or that you cannot get someone else pregnant. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should tell their doctors before they begin taking this drug. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy or for a while after treatments. (Talk to your doctor for further details.) Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Pegaspargase may harm the fetus.
do not have any vaccinations (e.g., measles or flu shots) without talking to your doctor.

Side effects

Side effects from pegaspargase are common and include:

nausea and vomiting
loss of appetite
diarrhea
abdominal pain
headache
numbness or tingling in the fingertips

Tell your doctor if the following symptom is severe or lasts for several hours:

fatigue

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

unusual bruising or bleeding
dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling of faintness
pain or redness at the injection site
persistent diarrhea or any change in normal bowel habits for more than 2 days
night sweats
fever
chills
cough
shortness of breath
breathing discomfort
rash
itching or redness of the skin
muscle pain
stiffness in your joints
cramps
difficult or frequent urination
constant thirst
yellowing of the skin or eyes
swelling of the feet or ankles
seizures

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Special instructions

The most common side effect of pegaspargase is a decrease of blood cells. Your doctor may order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by the drug.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer