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AHFS Consumer Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2000-2011.

AHFS Consumer Medication Information.

Asparaginase Injection(a spare' a gi nase)

Last Revision: June 15, 2011.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Asparaginase is used with other chemotherapy drugs to treat a certain type of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL; a type of cancer of the white blood cells). Asparaginase is an enzyme that interferes with natural substances necessary for cancer cell growth. It works by killing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

How should this medicine be used?

Asparaginase comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected into a muscle or infused intravenously (into a vein) over 30 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital outpatient clinic. It is usually given three times a week.

Other uses for this medicine

Asparaginase is also sometimes used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML; a type of cancer of the white blood cells) in children and to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL; a type of cancer that begins in a type of white blood cells that normally fights infection) in children and adults. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking asparaginase,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to asparaginase, pegaspargase (Oncaspar), or any other medications.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

  • tell your doctor if you have or ever had pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), blood clots, or severe bleeding, especially if these happened during an earlier treatment with asparaginase. Your doctor may not want you to receive asparaginase.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking asparaginase, call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Asparaginase may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • nausea

  • vomiting

  • loss of appetite

  • weight loss

  • tiredness

  • fever

  • chills

  • headache

  • dizziness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • ongoing pain that begins in the stomach area, but may spread to the back

  • seizures

  • confusion

  • hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)

  • swelling of the face, arms, or legs

  • difficulty breathing

  • chest pain

  • yellowing of the skin or eyes

  • pain in the upper right part of the stomach

  • dark colored urine

  • frequent urination

  • increased thirst

Asparaginase may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

This medication will be stored at your doctor's office or clinic.

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.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to asparaginase.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Other names

  • l-Asparaginase

  • l-Asparagine Amidohydrolase

  • Colaspase

  • A-ase

  • ASN-ase

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2011. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

The following brand names are from RxNorm, a standardized nomenclature for clinical drugs produced by the National Library of Medicine:

Brand names

  • Elspar

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Conditions of interest

  • Leukemia
    Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells grow.
  • Cancer
    Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
  • Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
    Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are found in the bone marrow and other parts of the body.
  • Pancreatitis
    Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach. It releases the hormones, insulin and glucagon, as well as digestive enzymes that help you digest and absorb food.
  • Bleeding disorders
    Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions in which there is a problem with the body's blood clotting process. These disorders can lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding after an injury. Bleeding can also begin on its own.
See all...

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