Asparlas (Calaspargase Pegol-mknl): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

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Overview: Asparlas is used to treat certain people with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is given by a health care provider as an infusion into a vein (IV). Common side effects include high levels of certain liver tests, changes in blood clotting tests, and an inflamed pancreas. Keep all appointments, including for blood tests, while you are using Asparlas. Tell your health care provider right away or get emergency help if you have yellowing of your skin or eyes, severe stomach pain, unusual bleeding or bruising, a severe headache, arm or leg swelling, or chest pain. These could be signs of a serious side effect.

Uses

What is Asparlas used for?

Asparlas (calaspargase pegol-mknl) is commonly used to treat certain people with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is a type of blood cancer.

Asparlas may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Asparlas work (mechanism of action)?

Asparlas is a form of an enzyme called L-asparaginase. This enzyme breaks down asparagine, which is an amino acid (a building block of protein). Some cancer cells need asparagine to grow and survive. By breaking down asparagine, Asparlas is thought to lower asparagine levels and help kill certain cancer cells.

How is Asparlas supplied (dosage forms)?

Asparlas is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Asparlas?

Asparlas is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Asparlas?

The most common side effects of Asparlas are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

High levels of certain liver tests, which could be a sign of liver damage (see below)
Inflammation of the pancreas (see below)
Changes in blood clotting tests

There may be other side effects of Asparlas that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Asparlas?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Asparlas are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Asparlas may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Your health care provider will likely monitor you for about an hour after you receive Asparlas because of this risk. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Breathing problems or wheezing
Racing heart
Fever or general ill feeling
Swollen lymph nodes
Swelling of the face, lips, eyes, mouth, tongue, or throat
Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
Itching or skin rash
Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
Stomach cramps
Joint pain

Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Asparlas may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. This could increase your risk of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Keep all appointments with your health care provider for your blood tests. Call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, such as vomiting or severe stomach pain, including pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.

Blood Clots. Asparlas may cause a blood clot in your arteries or veins and could cause a stroke, heart attack, or venous thromboembolism, including a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of a blood clot.

Chest pain or pressure
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
Sudden weakness on one side of your body
Sudden and severe headache
Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg
Vision loss
Bulging eyes
Double vision

Severe Bleeding. Asparlas can increase your risk of severe bleeding that can lead to death. Some people with serious bleeding may need a blood transfusion or surgery. Call your health care provider right away if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising or any of the following signs of severe bleeding.

Pink, red, or brown urine (pee)
Vomit with blood that looks like coffee grounds
Red or black stools (looks like tar)
Coughing up blood or blood clots

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Asparlas. Asparlas may also increase the risk of blocked blood vessels in the liver, which can be life-threatening. Keep all appointments for blood tests while using Asparlas. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

Nausea or vomiting
Feeling full or having stomach or belly pain or tenderness
Fever
Weakness or unusual tiredness
Itching
Loss of appetite
Light-colored poop
Dark-colored urine (pee)
Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)
Fast weight gain
Fluid retention or a buildup of fluid in in the belly (ascites)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Asparlas?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Asparlas.

Asparlas
Calaspargase pegol-mknl
Oncaspar
Pegaspargase
Pegylated L-asparaginase
Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Asparlas.

Prior Problems With L-Asparaginase. Asparlas should not be used if you have used a medicine called L-asparaginase (also called asparaginase) in the past and had a serious blood clot, bleeding, or an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis). Asparlas is a form of L-asparaginase. Tell your health care provider if you have had any problems with L-asparaginase in the past.

Liver Problems. Asparlas should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to see if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

What should I know about Asparlas before using it?

Asparlas is usually given as an infusion into a vein (intravenously, or IV) by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

Your health care provider may give you medicines to help reduce the risk of certain side effects from Asparlas. Take these medicines exactly as your health care provider recommends.

Keep all appointments, including for blood tests, with your health care provider. This will help them know if it is safe for you to keep using this medicine.

Some people using Asparlas have had high blood sugar levels. Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of high blood sugar, such as being thirsty more than usual, peeing more than usual, increase in hunger, or confusion.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Asparlas?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Asparlas is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Liver problems
Pancreas problems
Problems with bleeding or blood clots

Other Medicines and Supplements. Asparlas may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Asparlas, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Asparlas may cause harm to a fetus. Your health care provider may do a test to make sure you are not pregnant before starting Asparlas. If you can get pregnant, you should use effective nonhormonal birth control while using Asparlas and for at least three months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while using Asparlas and for at least three months after your last dose. It is not known if Asparlas passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Asparlas?

For more information about Asparlas, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.asparlas.com or call them at 800-807-6124.

Interactions

Does Asparlas interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Asparlas and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Asparlas, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Does Asparlas interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using a birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD) that contains hormones before using Asparlas.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Asparlas. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker