calaspargase pegol
calaspargase pegol
Pronunciation:
kal-AS-par-jase-PEG-ol
Other Name(s):
Asparlas®
Appearance:
clear, colourless solution for injection
This handout gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
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who to contact for help
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what the medication is
-
how it is given
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what to expect while on medication
This handout was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
My cancer health care provider is: _____________________________________________
During the day I should contact: _______________________________________________
Evenings, weekends and holidays: _____________________________________________
This page gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
-
who to contact for help
-
what the medication is
-
how it is given
-
what to expect while on this medication
This information was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
Calaspargase pegol is used to treat a certain type of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is usually given together with other medication(s).
Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had:
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liver or pancreas problems,
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blood clots or bleeding problems,
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diabetes or high blood sugar, or
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any allergies (or if you cannot tolerate asparaginase).
Remember To:
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Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
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Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.
You will have a blood test to check for hepatitis B before starting treatment. See the Hepatitis B and Cancer Medications pamphlet for more information.
- This medication is given through an IV (injected into a vein). Talk to your health care team about your treatment schedule.
- If you missed your treatment appointment, talk to your health care team to find out what to do.
To Prevent Allergic Reaction
You will be given medications before your treatment to help prevent allergic reactions before they start.
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There are different types of medications to stop allergic reactions. They are called:
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antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine or Benadryl®)
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analgesics/antipyretics (such as acetaminophen or Tylenol®)
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H2 blockers (such as ranitidine or famotidine)
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corticosteroids (such as prednisone)
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To Prevent Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS)
TLS can happen when a large number of cancer cells die quickly and your body cannot get rid of them fast enough. TLS can make you very sick. Ask your health care team if you are at risk for TLS.
If you are at risk for TLS, you may be given medications before your calaspargase pegol treatment to help prevent it.
- These are called anti-uricemics (such as allopurinol), or others.
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DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
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DO consider asking someone to drive you to and from the hospital on your treatment days. You may feel drowsy or dizzy after your treatment.
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DO test your blood sugar regularly if you are taking any medications for diabetes. This treatment may cause changes in your blood sugar levels.
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DO NOT use tobacco products (such as smoking cigarettes or vaping) or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.
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DO NOT start any complementary or alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or homeopathic medications, without checking with your health care team.
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DO NOT take any other medications, such as vitamins, over-the-counter (non-prescription) drugs, or natural health products without checking with your health care team.
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DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
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DO consider asking someone to drive you to and from the hospital on your treatment days. You may feel drowsy or dizzy after your treatment.
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DO test your blood sugar regularly if you are taking any medications for diabetes. This treatment may cause changes in your blood sugar levels.
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DO NOT use tobacco products (such as smoking cigarettes or vaping) or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.
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DO NOT start any complementary or alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or homeopathic medications, without checking with your health care team.
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DO NOT take any other medications, such as vitamins, over-the-counter (non-prescription) drugs, or natural health products without checking with your health care team.
Yes, the medications in this regimen can interact with other medications, vitamins, foods and natural health products. Interactions can make the treatment not work as well or cause severe side effects.
Tell your health care team about all of your:
- prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications
- natural health products such as vitamins, herbal teas, homeopathic medicines, and other supplements
Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
If you are taking a blood thinner (such as warfarin), your health care team may need extra blood tests and may change your dose.
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or Aspirin®.
- Over-the-counter products such as dimenhydrinate (Gravol®)
- Natural health products such as St. John’s Wort
- Supplements such as vitamin C
- Grapefruit juice
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tobacco
- All other drugs, such as marijuana or cannabis (medical or recreational)
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Always check your temperature to see if you have a fever before taking any medications for fever or pain (such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®)).
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Fever can be a sign of infection that may need treatment right away.
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If you take these medications before you check for fever, they may lower your temperature and you may not know you have an infection.
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How to check for fever:
Keep a digital (electronic) thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills, headache, mild pain).
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You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
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38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time
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OR
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38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.
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If you do have a fever :
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Try to contact your health care team. If you are not able to talk to them for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.
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Ask your health care team for the Fever pamphlet for more information.
If you do not have a fever but have mild symptoms such as headache or mild pain:
- Ask your health care team about the right medication for you. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a safe choice for most people.
Talk to your health care team before you start taking ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or ASA (Aspirin®), as they may increase your chance of bleeding or interact with your cancer treatment.
Talk to your health care team if you already take low dose aspirin for a medical condition (such as a heart problem). It may still be safe to take.
Talk to your health care team about:
- How this treatment may affect your sexual health
- How this treatment may affect your ability to have a baby, if this applies to you
This treatment may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care team if you or your partner are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment, or are breastfeeding.
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If there is any chance of pregnancy happening, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until at least 3 months after your last treatment dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
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This medication may make hormonal birth control, such as birth control pills, less effective (not work as well). If you choose to use a hormonal birth control, make sure you also use a barrier or non-hormonal birth control method (such as condoms). Talk to your health care team about the best birth control options for you.
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Do not breastfeed while on this treatment and for 3 months after your last dose.
The following table lists side effects that you may have when getting calaspargase pegol treatment. Some of these side effects may also be from other chemotherapy that is given with calaspargase pegol. The table is set up to list the most common side effects first and the least common last. It is unlikely that you will have all of the side effects listed and you may have some that are not listed.
Read over the side effect table so that you know what to look for and when to get help. Refer to this table if you experience any side effects while on calaspargase pegol treatment.
| Very Common Side Effects (50 or more out of 100 people) | |
| Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
|
Low levels of albumin in your blood (May be severe) Albumin is a protein that is found in the blood. It helps to maintain pressure in the blood vessels and move substances, such as hormones and medications through your body. Your health care team may check your levels of albumin with a blood test. Low albumin may not cause any symptoms unless your level is very low.
What to do? If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your health care team. If you have swelling in your belly, get emergency medical help right away. |
If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your health care team. If you have swelling in your belly, get emergency medical help right away. |
|
Liver problems (May be severe) Your health care team may check your liver function with a blood test. Liver changes do not usually cause any symptoms.
What to do? If you have any symptoms of liver problems, get emergency medical help right away. |
Get emergency medical help right away. |
| Common Side Effects (25 to 49 out of 100 people) | |
| Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
|
Too much or too little salt in your body What to look for?
What to do? Get emergency medical help right away for severe symptoms. |
Get emergency medical help right away for severe symptoms. |
|
High blood sugar (May be severe) What to look for?
What to do?
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Contact your health care team as soon as possible (office hours). |
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Low neutrophils (white blood cells) in the blood (neutropenia) (May be severe) When neutrophils are low, you are at risk of getting an infection more easily. Ask your health care team for the Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count) pamphlet for more information. What to look for?
What to do? If your health care team has told you that you have low neutrophils:
If you have a fever, try to contact your health care team. If you are unable to talk to the team for advice, you must get emergency medical help right away.
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If you have a fever, try to contact your health care team. If you are unable to talk to the team for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away. |
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Bleeding; low platelets in the blood (May be severe) When your platelets are low, you are at risk for bleeding and bruising. Ask your health care team for the Low Platelet Count pamphlet for more information. What to look for?
What to do? If your health care team has told you that you have low platelets:
If you have signs of bleeding:
If you have bleeding that does not stop or is severe (very heavy), you must get emergency medical help right away. |
Talk to your health care team if you have any signs of bleeding. If you have bleeding that doesn’t stop or is severe (very heavy), you MUST get emergency help right away. |
|
Low blood sugar People show different signs when their blood sugar is low. Some signs of low blood sugar are listed below. You may:
If your blood sugar level drops very low (severe low blood sugar), you may:
To treat low blood sugar (if you have diabetes):
If you have severe low blood sugar, you or your caregiver will need to get emergency medical help for you right away. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve. Get emergency medical help right away if it is severe. |
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Higher than normal cholesterol or fat levels in the blood What to look for?
What to do?
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe. |
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Mouth sores What to look for?
To help prevent mouth sores:
If you have mouth sores:
Ask your health care team for the Oral Care (Mouth Care) pamphlet for more information. |
Talk to your health care team as soon as you notice mouth or lip sores or if it hurts to eat, drink or swallow. |
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible with this treatment.
If you have any of the following, talk to your cancer health care team or get emergency medical help right away:
- signs of an allergic reaction: rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, chest and throat tightness
- severe belly cramps or pain, belly tenderness, diarrhea or blood in your poo
- fast weight gain that is not normal for you, swelling in the belly area
- pain in the centre of your belly that may spread to your back
- swelling and hardening of a vein in your arm or leg
- new cough, problems breathing, pain in your chest or coughing up blood
- trouble seeing, speaking, or using your arms and legs
- severe headache, confusion
- changes in your vision
- seizures
For more information on how to manage your symptoms ask your health care provider, or visit: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
February 2025 New patient information sheet
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.