Formulary
Asparaginase [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Asparaginase [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Asparaginase [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Asparaginase [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Infusion): Specialist drug - access specialist resources for dosing information.
Contraindications
For asparaginase [Specialist drug] History of pancreatitis related to asparaginase therapy; history of serious haemorrhage related to asparaginase therapy; history of serious thrombosis related to asparaginase therapy; pancreatitis; pre-existing known coagulopathy
Side effects
For asparaginase [Specialist drug] Common or very common Agitation; anaemia; angioedema; appetite decreased; arthralgia; bronchospasm; coagulation disorders; confusion; depression; diarrhoea; dizziness; drowsiness; dyspnoea; embolism and thrombosis; fatigue; flushing; gastrointestinal discomfort; haemorrhage; hallucination; hyperglycaemia; hypersensitivity; hypoalbuminaemia; hypoglycaemia; hypotension; increased risk of infection; leucopenia; nausea; neurological effects; oedema; pain; pancreatitis acute; skin reactions; thrombocytopenia; vomiting; weight decreased Uncommon Headache; hyperammonaemia; hyperuricaemia Rare or very rare Coma; consciousness impaired; diabetic ketoacidosis; hepatic disorders; hyperparathyroidism; hypoparathyroidism; ischaemic stroke; necrotising pancreatitis; pancreatic pseudocyst; pancreatitis (sometimes fatal); posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES); secondary hypothyroidism; seizure; tremor Side-effects, further information There have been rare reports of cholestasis, icterus, hepatic cell necrosis and hepatic failure with fatal outcome; manufacturer advises interrupt treatment if these symptoms develop.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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