What is Rasburicase?
Rasburicase helps manage uric acids in children and adults receiving cancer treatments for lymphoma and certain tumors.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for Rasburicase.
Side effects of Rasburicase
If you experience any of the following symptoms: hives, rash, wheezing, chest pain, tightness, and difficulty breathing; feeling lightheaded; swelling on your face, lips, or tongue; or if it is accompanied by any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention.
Call your doctor or caregivers immediately if you:
- Dark urine, pale or yellowed skin;
- Dry mouth; bad breath;
- Fainting, rapid heartbeat, flu symptoms, or fever.
- Signs of serious blood disorders include blue-colored skin or lips, headaches, feeling weak or tired, difficulty breathing, feeling like you might pass out, rapid heartbeats or chest flutterings.
If you experience a severe allergic reaction, your treatment with rasburicase could be permanently stopped.
Some of the common side effects associated with rasburicase include:
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain;
- Diarrhea, constipation;
- Anxiety;
- Headache;
- Abnormal liver function tests and decreased phosphate levels
- Throat pain;
- Fever
- Swelling in the hands or feet
There may be other side effects.For medical advice regarding side effects, call your doctor. You can also reach the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report them.
Similar/related drugs
Allopurinol, sodium bicarbonate, Zyloprim, Elitek, and Aloprim
Warnings
If you've ever experienced an allergic reaction, blood cell problems, or a genetic deficiency of glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), you should not take rasburicase.If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, wheezing, and chest tightness; difficulty breathing; feeling lightheaded; swelling on your face, lips, or tongue.Tell your caregivers or call your physician as soon as you detect symptoms of a serious blood disorder, including: blue-colored skin or lips, headache, weakness or tiredness, trouble breathing, feeling like you might pass out, rapid heartbeats, or chest flutterings.
Before you take this drug
This medication should not be administered if:
- Have you ever experienced an allergic reaction to rasburicase or problems with your blood cells?
- You have an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).
Your doctor will likely perform blood tests if you are of African or Mediterranean descent to ensure that you don't have any conditions that would prevent you from receiving rasburicase safely.The use of birth control can harm an unborn child. Inform your physician immediately if you become pregnant.Do not breastfeed for 2 weeks after taking this medication.Rasburicase should not be used by babies younger than one month.
How to take Rasburicase?
Rasburicase can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.Rasburicase should be administered slowly.An infusion may take up to 30 minutes.Rasburicase can be taken up to five days per day.Do not neglect to follow your doctor's orders.You may need to have frequent blood tests while using Rasburicase.Tell your doctor that you are using Rasburicase. Tell your doctor that you use rasburicase.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for hyperuricemia secondary to chemotherapy:
0.2 mg/kg in a 30-minute intravenous infusion, once daily for up to five days
Comments:
Use beyond 5 days is not recommended, nor is the administration of more than one course of treatment.
The exact duration of treatment should be determined by clinical judgment and monitoring of plasma uric acids.
This drug is approved only for one course of treatment.
Use: To manage the first elevation in plasma uric acids in patients with solid tumors, leukemias, lymphomas, and other malignancies that are expected to be treated by chemotherapy.
The usual pediatric dose for hyperuricemia secondary to chemotherapy is:
0.2 mg/kg in a 30-minute intravenous infusion, once daily for up to five days
Comments:
It is not recommended to use the product beyond five days or administer more than one course of treatment.
The exact duration of treatment should be determined by clinical judgment and monitoring of plasma uric acids.
This drug is approved only for one course of treatment.
Use: To manage the first plasma uric levels of patients with leukemia or lymphoma and solid tumor malignancies receiving chemotherapy that is expected to cause tumor lysis and subsequently an increase in plasma uric acids.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are unable to attend your appointment, call your doctor and ask for instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Contact 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning or seek immediate medical care.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may also affect rasburicase.Inform your physician of all medications you are currently taking as well as those you intend to start or stop using.
