Asparaginase Erwinia Chrysanthemi (as-PAR-a-jin-ase er-WIN-ee-ah kri-SAN-them-ee)

Treats acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in patients who have had an allergic reaction to E. coli-derived asparaginase.

Brand Name(s):

Erwinaze

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• Erwinaze? is sometimes given together with other medicines. It is important that you receive each medicine at the proper time. If you take some of these medicines by the mouth, ask your doctor to help you plan a way to take them at the right times.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have diabetes.
• Tell your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness. These may be symptoms of pancreatitis.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or hunger, increased urination, pale skin, nausea, sweating, or faintness. These may be signs of problems with your blood sugar level.
• Tell your doctor right away if you develop confusion, headache, nausea and vomiting, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, shortness of breath, or chest pain. These may be symptoms of a serious bleeding or blood clotting problem.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood
• Increase in how much or how often you urinate
• Increased hunger or thirst
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body
• Pain or swelling in your lower leg (calf)
• Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness
• Sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking
• Unusual bleeding

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088