GENERIC NAME: RASBURICASE - INJECTION (ras-BYUR-ih-case)

BRAND NAME(S): Elitek

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

WARNING: This drug can cause a severe allergic reaction. If you develop new symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, severe dizziness, or rash/hives, stop using this medication and seek immediate medical attention. Do not restart this medication if this severe allergic reaction has occurred. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. Do not take this medication if you have a metabolic condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency because it can severely damage your red blood cells leading to anemia (hemolysis). If you are of African or Mediterranean descent, you may be at higher risk for G6PD deficiency and you should be tested to see if you have this condition before starting this medication. This medication can cause a condition that affects the ability of your red blood cells to carry oxygen (methemoglobinemia). Do not restart this medication if this effect occurs; consult the doctor for details. This medication can interfere with accurate measurement of uric acid in the blood, resulting in falsely low levels (see Drug Interactions section). Be sure to tell all laboratory personnel that you are using this drug.

USES: This medication is used to prevent high blood levels of uric acid from occurring in children with cancer (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma, solid malignant tumors) who are about to receive cancer chemotherapy treatment. When chemotherapy is given, cancer cells are destroyed, releasing large amounts of uric acid into the bloodstream. This medication allows uric acid to more easily be removed from the body by the kidneys.

HOW TO USE: Inject this medication directly into a vein (IV) slowly over 30 minutes, or as directed by your doctor. Do not give as a rapid (bolus) infusion. This medication should be started in a hospital/clinic. Rasburicase is given once a day for 5 days. Correct timing of cancer chemotherapy and rasburicase doses is important. Start chemotherapy 4 to 24 hours after the first dose of rasburicase. Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with correct IV fluids. When mixing the drug, swirl gently. Do not shake the vial. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Do not use a filter when injecting this medication. This drug should be given through a separate IV line from other medications if possible. If you have questions regarding the use of this medication, consult the pharmacist. Intravenous (IV) fluids should be given with this medication to also help decrease your uric acid levels.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Leukemia - Get the facts on leukemia (cancer of the bone marrow, blood) causes, symptoms, signs, types (hairy cell, chronic/acute lymphocytic or myeloid), research, treatment information and side effects.
• Cancer - Learn about cancer types, disease statistics, facts, and survival rates, and get information about how malignant tumors (cancerous growths) metastasize or spread.

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