When we learn that we have cancer and hear about its treatment, it is normal for us to feel a little scared and anxious. Especially when we hear the word 'chemotherapy', many people are shocked. So today we are going to talk about a very specific drug used for such cancer treatment. That is Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi. Although this name is a bit long, knowing about its function is very important for you and your family.
Simply put, what is this medicine?
This is a chemotherapy drug that is used to kill cancer cells. To be precise, it is an enzyme. It works by destroying the amino acid 'Asparagine' that cancer cells need to grow. In other words, it is like "starving" the cancer cells and destroying them.
This medicine is mainly used to treat a type of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) . Sometimes doctors may also prescribe it for other types of cancer. It may be marketed under the names `(Erwinase)` or `(Erwinaze)`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. This will help them decide whether this treatment is safe and suitable for you. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
- Bleeding disorders: If you have a bleeding disorder or a problem where your blood does not clot easily.
- Diabetes: This medication may alter blood sugar levels, so it is essential to inform about diabetes.
- A history of blood clots: If you have previously had a blood clot anywhere in the body (such as in the leg, lung).
- Pancreatitis: If you have previously had pancreatitis.
- Liver disease: If you have any type of liver disease.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to this Asparaginase medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy or trying to get pregnant: If you are pregnant, or planning to have a baby soon, you should definitely tell your doctor .
- Breastfeeding: If you are breastfeeding a child.
How do you give this medicine?
This is not a pill or syrup that you can take home. It is an injection, given either intramuscularly or intravenously by a trained doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic . Therefore, this treatment is always done under medical supervision.
The most important thing is not to miss your doctor's appointment or medication. If for some reason you are unable to go to the hospital on the scheduled day, inform the hospital or your doctor immediately.
What if the dose of the medicine increases?
Since this is given in a hospital, the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think something has happened, even by mistake, tell the doctor or nurse in the treatment unit immediately. Alternatively, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Possible side effects during treatment
As with any chemotherapy treatment, this medicine can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets all of these side effects. Also, most of them can be controlled. The most important thing is to tell your doctor if you have any unusual symptoms, without hiding them.
Let's see what these side effects are.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching; swelling of the face, lips or tongue; difficulty breathing. |
| Bleeding | Black or tarry stools; red or dark brown urine; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bleeding from the eyes, gums, or nose. |
| Blood clot | Chest pain; difficulty breathing; pain, swelling, or a warm feeling in a leg. |
| Liver injury | Dark yellow or brown urine; yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice); feeling tired; pain in the upper right side of the stomach; loss of appetite. |
| Pancreatitis | Severe pain in the stomach that feels like it is going to the back, pain that increases after eating or when the stomach is touched, fever, nausea, vomiting. |
| High blood sugar | Unusually increased hunger or thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, extreme fatigue. |
| 🙂 Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist. | |
| Headache | General headache. |
| Appetite | Decreased appetite. |
| Muscle pain | Feeling like your body hurts. |
| Mouth sores | Sores inside the mouth or on the lips. |
Other things to be careful about
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
This is very important.
Avoid getting pregnant completely while taking this medicine and for at least 3 months after stopping treatment.
This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Your hormonal birth control methods (such as birth control pills) may not work properly with this medicine. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using another safe method of birth control.
Also, avoid breastfeeding your baby during treatment and for 3 months after stopping.
Interactions with other drugs
Other medications you are taking may interact with this Asparaginase medicine. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, not just the ones prescribed by your doctor, but also the ones you buy from a pharmacy, traditional Ayurvedic medicines, herbal teas, vitamins, and dietary supplements. Especially medications like `(corticosteroids)`, `(methotrexate)`, `(vincristine)` can interact with this medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi is a specific chemotherapy drug given for blood cancers such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all other illnesses you have, all medications you take, and any allergies you have.
- This is a vaccine given in a hospital, under medical supervision. It is very important to receive treatment on time.
- If you experience symptoms such as severe allergic reactions, unusual bleeding, or severe stomach pain, inform your doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
- Avoid becoming pregnant during treatment and for 3 months after stopping. Talk to your doctor about using a safe birth control method.
- Talk openly with your medical team. Discuss any questions, fears, or concerns with them. Remember that you are not alone in this journey.
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