| Asparaginase | 78.0000000000000 | Asparaginase | Asparaginase | A | English | Pharmacy | NA | NA | NA | Drugs and Supplements | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2008-03-25T04:00:00Z | | Elaine Lau, BScPhm, PharmD, MSc, RPh | | | | 9.70000000000000 | 51.5000000000000 | 979.000000000000 | | Drugs (A-Z) | Drug A-Z | <p class="akh-article-overview">Your child needs to take the medicine called asparaginase. This information sheet explains what asparaginase does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine.</p> | <p>Your child needs to take the medicine called asparaginase (say: a-SPARE-a-jin-ase). This information sheet explains what asparaginase does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine. </p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>What is asparaginase?</h2>
<p>Asparaginase is a medicine that kills cancer cells.</p>
<p>There are different types of asparaginase, including E. coli asparaginase, Erwinia asparaginase, and pegylated asparaginase (also called PEG asparaginase). All of these types of asparaginase come in an injection form. </p> | <h2>Before giving asparaginase to your child</h2>
<p>Tell your doctor if your child has:</p>
<ul><li>ever reacted badly to asparaginase or any other medication </li>
<li>ever had problems with their pancreas, including a condition called pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) </li></ul>
<p>Also, talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has: </p>
<ul><li>an infection or recent exposure to infection (for example, chickenpox) </li>
<li>problems with blood sugar or diabetes </li>
<li>liver problems </li>
<li>a history of bleeding or clotting problems </li></ul> | <h2>How should you give your child asparaginase?</h2><p>Asparaginase is a clear liquid. A nurse will give your child asparaginase by putting a needle into a muscle (intramuscular or IM injection) or a vein (intravenous or IV injection). Usually your child will get this medicine in the hospital clinic or on the nursing unit. </p><p>Your child will need to stay in the clinic for about two hours after an injection of asparaginase. This is so the medical team can watch your child for any signs of an allergic reaction. They will watch your child for hives (raised, red, itchy areas on the skin), a skin rash, a swollen or flushed (red) face or trouble breathing.<br></p> | | | <h2>What are the possible side effects of this asparaginase?<br></h2><p>Your child may have some of these side effects while they take asparaginase. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother your child: </p><ul><li>nausea (upset stomach) </li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=746&language=English">vomiting</a> (throwing up) </li><li>slight soreness at the site of injection </li><li>mild headache </li><li>loss of appetite </li></ul><p>Call your child's doctor during office hours if child has any of these side effects:</p><ul><li>unusual tiredness </li><li>yellow eyes or skin </li><li>joint pain, such as the toes, knuckles, knees </li><li>lower back or side pain </li><li>frequent urination </li><li>unusual thirst or extremely thirsty </li><li>hardness, redness or swelling at the site of injection </li></ul><p>Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects: </p><ul><li>trouble breathing or shortness of breath </li><li>puffy face </li><li>skin rash or itching </li><li>unusual bleeding or bruising </li><li>stomach pain with vomiting (throwing up) </li><li>fever or chills </li><li>cough or chest pain </li><li>severe headache </li><li>cannot move arm or leg </li><li>slurred speech or trouble speaking </li><li>confusion or change in personality </li><li>seizures </li><li>unusual drowsiness, clumsiness, or loss of coordination </li><li>sudden changes in eyesight </li><li>sore throat or hoarseness </li><li>swelling of the legs and feet </li></ul> | <h2>What safety measures should you take when your child is using asparaginase?</h2>
<p>Asparaginase can increase the risk of blood clots. Blood clots can cause symptoms of a stroke such as a sudden change in level of consciousness (alertness), confusion, difficulty speaking, and difficulty using parts of the body. If you notice any of these changes in your child, it is important to get emergency help. Sometimes these symptoms may occur days or weeks after a dose of asparaginase. </p>
<p>If your child has diabetes, they may have trouble controlling the sugar in the blood while getting asparaginase. The doctor may need to check your child's blood sugar more often. </p>
<p>Your child should not receive any immunizations (vaccines) without your child's doctor's approval. Your child or anyone else in your household should not get oral polio vaccine while your child is being treated for cancer. Tell your child's doctor if anyone in your household has recently received oral polio vaccine. Your child should avoid contact with anyone who has recently received this vaccine. </p>
<p>There is a chance that asparaginase may cause birth defects if it is taken at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. If your child is sexually active it is best that they use some kind of birth control while receiving asparaginase. Tell the doctor right away if your child may be pregnant. </p>
<p>Tell your doctor or dentist that your child is getting asparaginase before your child has any surgery, including dental surgery, or an emergency treatment. </p>
<p>Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products). </p> | <h2>What other important information should you know about asparaginase?</h2><ul><li>Stomach upset (nausea) and throwing up are not common with asparaginase</li><li>Keep a list of all medications your child is on to show the doctor or pharmacist</li><li>Do not share your child’s medicine with others and do not give anyone else’s medicine to your child</li><li>Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines<br></li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/ICO_DrugA-Z.png | Asparaginase | Asparaginase | False | | | | | |
