Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Rylaze

Descriptions


Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi recombinant-rywn is used together with other cancer medicines to treat certain types of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL). This medicine is used in patients who have had an allergic reaction to E. coli-derived asparaginase.

Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi recombinant-rywn belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastic agents. It interferes with the growth of the cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by this medicine, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor.

Before you begin treatment with Rylaze™, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits of this medicine as well as the risks of using it.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • 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 have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Rylaze™ in children younger than 1 month of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Rylaze™ in the geriatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

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:

  • Bleeding problems caused by L-asparaginase treatment, history of or
  • Blood clotting problems caused by L-asparaginase treatment, history of or
  • Pancreatitis caused by L-asparaginase treatment, history of—Should not be given to patients with these conditions.
  • Bleeding problems or
  • Blood clotting problems or
  • Liver disease or
  • Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper Use

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital or cancer treatment center. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle.

This medicine is usually given every 2 days or on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday schedule.

Your doctor may also give you other medicines (eg, acetaminophen, an allergy medicine, and a stomach medicine) 30 to 60 minutes before receiving this medicine to help prevent unwanted effects.

Rylaze™ is sometimes given together with other medicines. If you are receiving a combination of medicines, it is important that you or your child receive each one at the proper time. If you are taking some of these medicines by mouth, ask your doctor to help you plan to take them at the right times.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after your last dose to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis or angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you or your child have a large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs, chills, fever, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, fast, pounding heartbeat, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, or trouble breathing after you receive the medicine.

Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) may occur during treatment with this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

Tell your doctor right away if you or your child develop confusion, headache, nausea and vomiting, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, or chest pain after receiving this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious bleeding or blood clotting problem.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

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. Anxiety
  2. black, tarry stools
  3. bleeding gums
  4. bloating
  5. blood in the stools
  6. blood in the urine
  7. blurred vision
  8. chest pain
  9. chills
  10. confusion
  11. constipation
  12. cough or hoarseness
  13. coughing or vomiting blood
  14. darkened urine
  15. decreased urination
  16. dizziness or lightheadedness
  17. dry mouth
  18. fainting
  19. fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  20. fever
  21. flushed, dry skin
  22. fruit-like breath odor
  23. headache
  24. increased hunger
  25. increased thirst
  26. increased urination
  27. indigestion
  28. large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin
  29. loss of appetite
  30. lower back or side pain
  31. muscle or bone pain
  32. nausea
  33. nosebleeds
  34. numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
  35. painful or difficult urination
  36. pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  37. pale skin
  38. persistent bleeding or oozing from puncture sites, mouth, or nose
  39. sore throat
  40. sunken eyes
  41. sweating
  42. trouble breathing
  43. ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  44. unexplained weight loss
  45. unusual bleeding or bruising
  46. unusual tiredness or weakness
  47. vomiting
  48. wrinkled skin
  49. yellow eyes or skin

Less common

  1. Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  2. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  3. drowsiness
  4. dry, red, hot, or irritated skin

Incidence not known

  1. Chest tightness
  2. difficulty swallowing
  3. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  4. flushing, redness of the skin
  5. hives, itching, or skin rash
  6. large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  7. noisy breathing
  8. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  9. unusually warm 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:

More common

  1. Burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
  2. swelling or inflammation of the mouth
  3. trouble sleeping
  4. unsteadiness or awkwardness
  5. weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet

Less common

  1. Full or bloated feeling
  2. irritability
  3. muscle spasms or weakness
  4. pressure or swelling in the stomach area

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.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/drugs-supplements/asparaginase-erwinia-chrysanthemi-recombinant-rywn-intramuscular-route/before-using/drg-20518743