Pegaspargase is used together with other medicines to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (a type of cancer where the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells called lymphoblasts).
Pegaspargase injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein) or intramuscularly (into the muscle).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor based on your weight. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on your response to the medication.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Pegaspargase.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use Pegaspargase if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of serious blood clots or bleeding after treatment with asparaginase (medicine for cancer)
- history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- severe liver disease
as Pegaspargase may not be suitable for you.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine and for 1 month after the last dose.
Inform your doctor if you have cancer of the blood caused by a genetic mutation.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
It is important that women do not get pregnant and men should not father a child while being treated with Pegaspargase.
Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Pegaspargase therapy and for at least 6 months after stopping treatment. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to use.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver or kidney function, complete blood count, sugar levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs or symptoms of liver problems, blood clots or bleeding may also be needed.
Pegaspargase may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, mouth sores, and loss of appetite.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- severe stomach pain that may spread to your back, severe nausea or vomiting
- pain, swelling and tenderness in your leg accompanied by redness and warmth, chest pain or pressure, coughing up blood
- severe bleeding or unusual bruising
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisone
- other medicines for cancer e.g. methotrexate, cytarabine, vincristine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Pegaspargase.
Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines during treatment with this medicine. Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow Pegaspargase to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.
This medicine may also be stored below 25°C for no more than 48 hours.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Pegaspargase is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired medicine to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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