• This medication prevents the amino acid, asparagine, from supporting the life of leukemia cells. The ALL cells eventually die without supplies of asparagine and in combination with chemotherapy.
• Your doctor prescribed this medication because the benefit to you may be greater than the risk of side effects. Many people do not experience serious side effects from this drug.
• The most serious side effect you may experience is allergic reactions (tightness in throat, abnormal swelling/redness, or difficulty breathing).
• The reaction most frequently experienced is hypersensitivity to the drug, including rash, itching, redness and swelling and, more seriously, anaphylaxis and breathing difficulties.
• Your nurse will monitor you for signs of hypersensitivity during and immediately after the first injection and at subsequent injections; the drug will be discontinued immediately if hypersensitivity is suspected.
• Other side effects you may experience include
— Abdominal pain, which may indicate pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
— Excessive thirst or increased volume or frequency of urination, which may indicate glucose intolerance (abnormal blood sugar levels). Your glucose levels will also be monitored before and periodically during treatment because glucose intolerance has been reported. You may be given insulin therapy if necessary.
— Headache, pain in the leg, arm, or chest, which may indicate abnormal blood clotting (thrombosis)
— Liver problems
— Nausea, vomiting
— Neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
— Sepsis (bacterial infection in the bloodstream or body tissues)
— Unusual bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Tell your nurse or doctor promptly about any side effects you experience while taking this medication.
• You cannot take this medication if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. ONA
Prepared by
Bette Weinstein Kaplan. Reviewed by
Maribel Pereiras, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP.