Rasburicase, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by IV to keep uric acid from building up in the blood during chemotherapy.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: enzyme

Generic and brand names: rasburicase, injection; Elitek

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to keep uric acid from building up in the blood during chemotherapy for leukemia, lymphoma, and some other kinds of cancer.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A blood disorder such as G6PD deficiency, methemoglobinemia, or hemolytic anemia

You should not receive this medicine if you have G6PD deficiency. You may be screened for this before you receive this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider once a day by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). It may be given for several days. Chemotherapy is usually started after the first dose of this medicine.

You will be monitored closely while receiving this medicine. If you develop any symptoms of an allergic reaction (such as hives, itching, rash, tightness in the chest, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing), alert the healthcare provider giving the infusion immediately.

What should I watch out for?

It is important to follow the treatment schedule exactly as your healthcare provider has instructed.

You will need to have blood tests regularly while receiving this medicine. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist that you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; trouble breathing; fever; severe tiredness or weakness; seizures; sore throat that does not go away; severe dizziness or fainting; bluish colored lips, fingernails, or skin; swelling in your ankles, feet, or hands; unusual bruising or bleeding; dark urine; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Other: Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, nausea, headache, anxiety, stomach pain, mouth sores; pain, burning or swelling at the infusion site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.