We all know that fighting cancer is not easy. In this battle, your doctors will recommend various treatments, such as chemotherapy. Pegaspargase (brand name: Oncaspar) is one of the most important and powerful drugs that is used to treat a type of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) . So, if you or a loved one is being given this medicine, it will be a great relief for you to have a simple and clear understanding of everything about it. Let's talk about this.
What kind of medicine is Pegaspargase?
Simply put, Pegaspargase is a chemotherapy drug, that is, a drug that is given to kill cancer cells . Asparagine is an essential nutrient for cancer cells to grow. What Pegaspargase does is break down this asparagine nutrient in the body, depriving cancer cells of "food". Then the cancer cells cannot grow and they die.
Although it is mainly used to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), it can sometimes be used for other types of cancer as recommended by your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before starting this treatment, it is extremely important to tell your doctor about your complete health history. This medicine may interact with certain health conditions. Be sure to tell your doctor about these things in particular:
- Allergies: Be sure to tell us if you have any allergies to Pegaspargase, L-asparaginase, E. coli proteins, other medications, foods, or dyes.
- Pancreatitis: If you have had pancreatitis before.
- Liver disease: If you have any type of liver disease.
- Blood clotting problems: If your blood clots easily or if you have bleeding disorders.
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes or other problems related to blood sugar levels.
- Pregnancy: It is important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. This is very important.
Give your doctor a complete list of all other medications you take, including vitamins, traditional medicines, and even supplements.
How is this medicine administered to the body?
This is not a pill that you can take home. It is only given in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or nursing staff who has received special training in this area.
There are two ways to give the medicine:
1. Intravenous infusion: A drug , like saline, is slowly given into the body through a vein.
2. Intramuscular injection: An injection into a muscle.
This is given to young children, even babies as young as one month old, under certain selected circumstances. However, the decision is made by a pediatrician.
What are the things to consider when undergoing treatment?
Your doctor will monitor you very closely while you are taking this medicine.
- Blood tests: You will need to have regular blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
- Blood sugar: This medication may increase blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about diet and whether you need to change your diabetes medication.
- Allergies: Sometimes severe allergic reactions can occur to this medicine. To reduce this risk, your doctor may decide to give you other medicines (e.g. antihistamines, steroids) before giving you Pegaspargase.
- Pregnancy and lactation (CRITICAL): This is very important.
- Do not become pregnant for any reason while taking this medicine **.
- Avoid getting pregnant for at least 3 months after stopping treatment.
- You should definitely use birth control during this time. However, since hormonal birth control pills (oral contraceptives) can interact with this medication, talk to your doctor about using a non-hormonal method of contraception (e.g. condoms).
- If you have the slightest suspicion that you are pregnant, tell your doctor right away .
- Do not breastfeed your baby during treatment and for one month after stopping.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Pegaspargase can cause side effects. Not everyone gets them. However, it is important to be aware of these symptoms. If you notice any serious symptoms, immediately inform the medical staff or go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) .
| Side effect category | Features to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Things to tell your doctor or hospital staff immediately | |
| Severe Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Bleeding symptoms | Black, tarry stools; red or dark brown urine; vomit that looks like coffee grounds or vomits blood; red spots on the skin; unusual bleeding from the eyes, gums, or nose. |
| Symptoms of a Blood Clot | Chest pain; difficulty breathing; leg pain, swelling, or warmth. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine; yellowing of the eyes or skin; fever; loss of appetite; pain in the upper right side of the stomach; pale stools. |
| Symptoms of high blood sugar | Unusual thirst and hunger; frequent urination; extreme fatigue; blurred vision. |
| Other severe symptoms | Very severe headache, severe stomach pain (may be a sign of pancreatitis). |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Sweating, weight loss. |
Can there be problems with other medications? (Interactions)
Yes. Some medications can cause problems when taken with Pegaspargase. For example:
- methotrexate
- vincristine
- cytarabine
- dexamethasone
- Birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about every medicine you take, even vitamins . Also, don't forget to tell him if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Take-Home Message
- Pegaspargase is a powerful chemotherapy drug used to treat a blood cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
- This medicine is only given in a hospital, under medical supervision.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, allergies, and other medications you are taking.
- If you experience symptoms such as severe allergies, bleeding, blood clots, or severe stomach pain, notify the medical staff immediately.
- Avoid pregnancy completely during treatment and for 3 months afterwards. Use a reliable, non-hormonal method of birth control.
- Please attend your scheduled treatment appointments without missing a beat. If you are unable to attend, please inform the hospital in advance.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, talk to your doctor about it openly.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න