Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi solution for injection

What is this medication?

ASPARAGINASE ERWINIA CHRYSANTHEMI (as par a jin ase er win i a kris an them i) is a chemotherapy medicine. It treats acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Erwinase, Erwinaze

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bleeding disorder
• diabetes (high blood sugar)
• blood clots
• history of pancreatitis
• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is injected into a muscle or vein. It is given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your health care provider if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What may interact with this medication?

• corticosteroids
• cytarabine
• methotrexate
• thyroid hormones
• vincristine
• zonisamide

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your health care provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for at least 3 months after stopping it. Hormone forms of birth control may not work as well with this medicine. Talk to your health care provider about other forms of birth control. There is a potential for serious harm to an unborn child. Talk to your health care provider for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine or for at least 3 months after stopping it.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions (skin rash; itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
• bleeding (bloody or black, tarry stools; red or dark brown urine; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bruising or bleeding from the eyes, gums, or nose)
• blood clot (chest pain; shortness of breath; pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg)
• high blood sugar (increased hunger, thirst, or urination; unusually weak or tired; blurry vision)
• liver injury (dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; loss of appetite; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin)
• pancreatitis (stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting, fast heartbeat)

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache
• lack or loss of appetite
• muscle pain
• mouth sores

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medicine is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.