Rasburicase Injection
Why this is used
Rasburicase injection is used to treat high levels of uric acid (a natural substance that builds up in the blood as tumors break down) in people with certain types of cancer who are being treated with chemotherapy medications. Rasburicase injection is in a class of medications called enzymes. It works by breaking down uric acid so that the body can eliminate it.
How to take it
Rasburicase injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic. It is usually given over a period of 30 minutes once a day for up to 5 days. This medication is given as a single course of treatment that will not be repeated.
Side effects
<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Rasburicase may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
<ul>
<li>
nausea</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
constipation</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
stomach pain</li>
<li>
mouth sores</li>
<li>
throat pain</li>
<li>
fever</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
anxiety</li>
<li>
swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the symptoms listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately.Rasburicase injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
<ul>
<li>
nausea</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
constipation</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
stomach pain</li>
<li>
mouth sores</li>
<li>
throat pain</li>
<li>
fever</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
anxiety</li>
<li>
swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the symptoms listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately.Rasburicase injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
Precautions
Before receiving rasburicase injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to rasburicase, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in rasburicase injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. in addition to the condition mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any other medical conditions. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving rasburicase injection.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Educational reference only — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber about Rasburicase Injection.