Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Elitek

Descriptions


Rasburicase injection treats high uric acid blood levels (hyperuricemia) that are caused by cancer treatment. This medicine is used in adults and children with certain types of cancer (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma, or solid tumors).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Powder for Solution

Before Using

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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine 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 rasburicase injection in children.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of rasburicase injection in the elderly. M

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

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 this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Blood problems (e.g., hemolysis, methemoglobinemia), history of or
  • Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (a hereditary metabolic disorder affecting red blood cells)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital or clinic. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so the needle will need to stay in place for up to 30 minutes.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child while you are receiving this medicine to make sure the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash; itching; dizziness; lightheadedness; swelling of your hands, face, or mouth; trouble with breathing; or chest pain after you get the injection.

Patients of African or Mediterranean ancestry are at higher risk of serious side effects and should be carefully evaluated by their doctor before starting this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child develop any of the following symptoms: bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms; dark urine; fever; headache; pale skin; rapid heart rate; shortness of breath; sore throat; or unusual bleeding or bruising after you receive this medicine.

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

  1. Cracked lips
  2. diarrhea
  3. difficulty with swallowing
  4. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth

Less common

  1. Abdominal or stomach pain
  2. agitation
  3. black or red, tarry, stools
  4. bleeding gums
  5. bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
  6. changes in skin color
  7. changes in vision
  8. chest pain or discomfort
  9. chills
  10. coma
  11. confusion
  12. convulsions (seizures)
  13. cough
  14. coughing that sometimes produces a pink, frothy sputum
  15. coughing up blood
  16. decreased urination
  17. depression
  18. dilated neck veins
  19. dizziness
  20. dry mouth
  21. fainting
  22. fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
  23. fever
  24. headache
  25. hostility
  26. increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
  27. increased sweating
  28. increased thirst
  29. irritability
  30. itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin
  31. lightheadedness
  32. lower back or side pain
  33. muscle twitching
  34. nausea
  35. no blood pressure or pulse
  36. nosebleeds
  37. pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
  38. pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
  39. painful or difficult urination
  40. pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
  41. pale skin
  42. paralysis
  43. prolonged bleeding from cuts
  44. red or dark brown urine
  45. severe constipation
  46. severe headaches of sudden onset
  47. shortness of breath
  48. skin rash
  49. sneezing
  50. sore throat
  51. stopping of heart
  52. stupor
  53. sudden loss of coordination
  54. sudden onset of shortness of breath for no apparent reason
  55. sudden onset of slurred speech
  56. sunken eyes
  57. sweating
  58. swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
  59. swollen glands
  60. temporary blindness
  61. thirst
  62. tightness in the chest
  63. troubled breathing
  64. unconsciousness
  65. unexplained or unusual bleeding or bruising
  66. unusual tiredness or weakness
  67. vomiting
  68. weight gain
  69. wheezing
  70. wrinkled skin

Rare

  1. Back pain
  2. hives
  3. itching, puffiness, or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  4. yellow eyes or skin

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:

Less common

  1. 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
  2. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  3. feeling of warmth
  4. feeling unusually cold
  5. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
  6. shivering

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.