Asparlas

Generic name: Calaspargase Pegol
Drug class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics

Usage of Asparlas

Asparlas is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and young adults from 1 month to 21 years old.

Asparlas may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Asparlas side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, redness; feeling light-headed; wheezing, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

You will be watched closely for at least 1 hour after each injection, to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction.

Asparlas may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;

pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;

liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

signs of a blood clot--headache, sudden numbness or weakness, blurred vision, chest pain, swelling or redness in an arm or leg.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects of Asparlas may include:

pancreatitis;

blood clotting problems; or

abnormal liver function tests.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Asparlas

You should not use Asparlas if you are allergic to it, or if:

you have liver disease;

you have had a serious allergic reaction to pegaspargase; or

you have had a blood clot, pancreatitis, or serious bleeding caused by using asparaginase.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

pancreatitis;

heart problems;

a blood clot; or

liver disease.

Asparlas may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

Asparlas may interact with birth control pills. To prevent pregnancy while using this medicine, use an effective non-oral form of birth control (injection, implant, skin patch, vaginal ring) plus a barrier form of birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, contraceptive sponge).

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

Relate drugs

How to use Asparlas

Asparlas is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Asparlas is usually given once every 21 days. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with Asparlas.

Asparlas doses are based on body surface area (height and weight). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight or if you are still growing.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Warnings

You should not use Asparlas if you have ever received pegaspargase and it caused an allergic reaction, a blood clot, pancreatitis, bleeding, or liver problems.

What other drugs will affect Asparlas

Other drugs may affect Asparlas, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.