Elitek (rasburicase)
Hyperuricemia Agents (non-uricosuric) Intravenous Vial (EA)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Rasburicase, a biosynthetic (recombinant DNA origin) form of urate oxidase, is an enzyme that catalyzes oxidation of uric acid into an inactive and soluble metabolite, allantoin.
Rasburicase, a biosynthetic (recombinant DNA origin) form of urate oxidase, is an enzyme that catalyzes oxidation of uric acid into an inactive and soluble metabolite, allantoin. The drug is prepared from a genetically modified strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the complementary DNA (cDNA) from a strain of Aspergillus flavus. In humans, production of uric acid is the final step in purine catabolism.
Rasburicase is active only at the end of this catabolic pathway.
USES: This medication is used to prevent high blood levels of uric acid from occurring in children with cancer (such as leukemia, lymphoma, solid malignant tumors) who are about to receive cancer chemotherapy treatment. When chemotherapy is given, cancer cells are destroyed, releasing large amounts of uric acid into the bloodstream. This medication allows uric acid to more easily be removed from the body by the kidneys.
Generic name: rasburicase
Pronunciation: (ras-BURE-i-kase)
Drug class: Hyperuricemia Agents (non-uricosuric)
Therapeutic class: Gout and Hyperuricemia Therapy
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Elitek
Indications
The following indications are listed for Elitek:
- Hyperuricemia Due To Cancer Therapy
Also known as: Cancer Therapy-Induced Hyperuricemia, Chemotherapy-Induced Hyperuricemia, Hyperuricemia Due To Anticancer Therapy.
Dosing
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
| Drug label | Dosing type | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Elitek 1.5 Mg Vial | Maintenance | Infuse 0.2 mg/kg over 30 minute(s) by intravenous route once daily. |
| Elitek 7.5 Mg Vial | Maintenance | Infuse 0.2 mg/kg over 30 minute(s) by intravenous route once daily. |
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
No formal drug interaction studies have been performed in humans.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. (See Warnings: Hemolysis under Cautions: Warnings/Precautions.)
Known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) or hematologic (e.g., hemolysis, methemoglobinemia) reactions to rasburicase or any ingredient (e.g., excipients) in the formulation.
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (g6Pd) deficiency
- Hemoglobin H disease
- Hemolysis
- Hemolytic anemia from pyruvate kinase and g6PD deficiencies
- Lactation
- Methemoglobinemia
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
Adverse effects occurring in at least 10% of patients receiving rasburicase in clinical trials include vomiting, fever, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, mucositis, and rash. Some of these adverse effects (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, fever, rash) were observed more frequently in children younger than 2 years of age than in those 2-17 years of age.
In addition, vomiting, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and headache reportedly occurred more frequently in patients receiving IV rasburicase than in those receiving oral allopurinol. The incidence of rash was similar in the 2 treatment groups, but severe rash (grade 3 or 4) was reported only in a patient who received rasburicase.
More Frequent
- Hyperbilirubinemia
- Hypophosphatemia
- Severe dyspnea
- Stomatitis
Less Frequent
- Bacterial sepsis
- Hyperphosphatemia
Rare or Very Rare
- Acute renal failure
- Anaphylaxis
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Chest pain
- Hemolysis
- Infection
- Methemoglobinemia
- Myocardial ischemia
- Seizure disorder
- Supraventricular arrhythmias
More Frequent
- Acute abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache disorder
- Nausea
- Peripheral edema
- Pharyngitis
- Skin rash
- Symptoms of anxiety
- Vomiting
Less Frequent
- Body fluid retention
Rare or Very Rare
- Muscle spasm
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
Safety and efficacy not established in children younger than 2 years of age.
Category C. (See Users Guide.)
Not known whether rasburicase is distributed into milk. Discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Experience in those 65 years of age and older insufficient to determine whether they respond differently from younger adults.
ICD codes
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperuricemia due to cancer therapy | ||
| E88.3 | ICD10CM | Tumor lysis syndrome |
ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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