Oncaspar (pegaspargase)

Dosage of pegaspargase is expressed in international units (IU, units) and must be individualized according to body surface area.

Pegaspargase should be administered in a setting where resuscitation equipment and other agents necessary to treat anaphylaxis are available. Following administration of the drug, patients should be monitored for 1 hour for anaphylaxis or serious allergic reactions. Bilirubin, aminotransferase, and glucose concentrations should be monitored and clinical examinations should be performed at least weekly until patients have recovered from the cycle of therapy.

Pegaspargase is administered by IM injection or IV infusion. Pegaspargase also has been administered by subcutaneous+ injection.

Parenteral pegaspargase solutions should be inspected visually for particulate matter, cloudiness, and discoloration prior to administration. The drug should be discarded if the solution is discolored or cloudy or if particulate matter is present. No more than one dose should be used from each single-use vial; any unused portion should be discarded since the drug contains no preservative.

For IM injection, commercially available pegaspargase injection is administered undiluted. The manufacturer recommends that not more than 2 mL be administered at any one injection site; IM doses exceeding 2 mL should be divided and administered at separate sites.

For IV infusion, pegaspargase injection should be diluted in 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection and administered over a period of 1-2 hours through a running infusion of either 0.9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection. IV solutions of pegaspargase should not be infused simultaneously through the same IV line with other drugs. After the drug has been diluted for IV infusion, pegaspargase solutions should be used immediately. If immediate use is not possible, pegaspargase diluted solutions should be stored at 2-8degreesC. Storage after dilution of the drug should not exceed 48 hours. The diluted solution should be protected from direct sunlight.

Procedures for proper handling and disposal of antineoplastic drugs should be followed when preparing or administering asparaginase preparations.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

No formal studies of interactions between pegaspargase and other drugs have been conducted.

There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

There are no moderate interactions for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.

There are no severe contraindications for this drug.

There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.

There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.

No enhanced messaging available.

No enhanced messaging available.

There are no available data on use of pegaspargase in pregnant women to evaluate the drug-associated risk of major birth defects and spontaneous abortion. However, results of animal studies suggest that the drug may cause fetal harm if administered to pregnant women. Studies in pregnant rabbits administered L-asparaginase or deprived of dietary asparagine suggest that asparagine depletion may harm animal offspring.

Pregnancy should be avoided during pegaspargase therapy. The manufacturer recommends confirmation of pregnancy status prior to initiation of pegaspargase therapy. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to use effective methods of contraception, including a barrier method, while receiving pegaspargase and for at least 3 months after the last dose. Concomitant use of oral contraceptives and pegaspargase should be avoided. Patients should be apprised of the potential fetal hazard if pegaspargase is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving the drug.

It is not known whether pegaspargase is distributed into human milk. The effects of the drug on nursing infants and on milk production also are unknown. Because many drugs are distributed into human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to pegaspargase in nursing infants, women should be advised to discontinue nursing during pegaspargase therapy and for at least 3 months after the last dose.

No enhanced messaging available.