Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi Intramuscular Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (Intramuscular)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 26, 2022.

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Erwinaze

Available Dosage Forms:

- Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Asparaginase

## Uses for asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi

Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi is used together with other cancer medicines to treat a certain type of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi is used in patients who have had an allergic reaction to E. coli-derived asparaginase.

Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastic agents. It interferes with the growth of the cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor.

Before you begin treatment with Erwinase®, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits of asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi as well as the risks of using it.

Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

## Before using asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Erwinase® in children 4 months of age and older.

### Geriatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Erwinase® in the geriatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

### Breastfeeding

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Cytarabine
- Methotrexate
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Pancreatitis, active or
- Pancreatitis caused by L-asparaginase treatment, active or history of—Should not be given to patients with these conditions.

- Bleeding problems or
- Blood clotting problems or
- Diabetes or
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
- Kidney disease or
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

## Related/similar drugs

Blincyto, methotrexate, doxorubicin, imatinib, mercaptopurine, Gleevec, Sprycel

## Proper use of asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you or your child asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi in a hospital or cancer treatment center. Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi is given as a shot into a muscle or a vein.

### Missed dose

Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Detailed Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi dosage information

## Precautions while using asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you or your child have chills, fever, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, fast, pounding heartbeat, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, or trouble breathing after you receive the medicine.

Using asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. It may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Female patients should use effective birth control during treatment with asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi and for at least 3 months after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi and for at least 3 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi, tell your doctor right away.

Pancreatitis may occur while you are using asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Tell your doctor right away if you have seizures, headache, confusion, vision problems, unusual drowsiness, tiredness, or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious nervous system problem called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).

Erwinase® can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever, chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child start having increased thirst or hunger, increased urination, pale skin, nausea, sweating, or faintness. These may be signs that you are having problems with the amount of blood sugar in your body.

Tell your doctor right away if you or your child develop confusion, headache, nausea and vomiting, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, or chest pain after receiving asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi. These may be symptoms of a serious bleeding or blood clotting problem.

Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi affects you.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

## Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

- Agitation
- back pain
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- bloating
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred vision
- chest pain
- chills
- coma
- confusion
- constipation
- cough or hoarseness
- difficulty in walking
- dizziness
- drooping eyelids
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- lightheadedness
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- fever
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- hallucinations
- headache
- increased hunger
- increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- indigestion
- irritability
- jaw pain
- lower back or side pain
- mood or mental changes
- nosebleeds
- numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes
- pain in the fingers and toes
- pain in the testicles
- pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
- pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- paralysis
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
- rapid, shallow breathing
- seizures
- severe headaches of sudden onset
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- stiff neck
- stomach pain
- sudden loss of coordination
- sudden onset of slurred speech
- sudden vision changes
- sweating
- swollen glands
- trouble breathing
- unexplained weight loss
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
- yellow eyes or skin

Less common

- Chest tightness
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- hives, itching, skin rash
- increase in frequency of seizures
- loss of appetite
- loss of consciousness
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

Incidence not known

- Diarrhea
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears
- slow or fast heartbeat
- unpleasant breath odor
- vomiting of blood

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

- Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi side effects (more detail)

## More about asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi

- Check interactions
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: miscellaneous antineoplastics
- En español

### Patient resources

- Drug Information
- Asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi recombinant-rywn Intramuscular (Advanced Reading)

#### Other brands

Rylaze, Erwinaze

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer