Rasburicase injection may cause a severe allergic reaction. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately: chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, faintness, or hives.
Rasburicase injection may cause serious blood problems. Tell your doctor if you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disease). Your doctor will probably tell you that you cannot receive rasburicase injection. Also tell your doctor if you are of African or Mediterranean descent. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately: headache;shortness of breath; lightheadedness; weakness; confusion; fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; seizures; pale or blue-gray skin color; yellowing of the skin or eyes; chills; extreme tiredness; and dark urine.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving rasburicase injection.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving rasburicase injection.
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.
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.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
nausea
vomiting
constipation
diarrhea
stomach pain
mouth sores
throat pain
fever
headache
anxiety
swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
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 http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
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.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to rasburicase injection.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about rasburicase injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Last Revised - 04/01/2010
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.