Oncaspar

Oncaspar treats a certain type of leukemia. It can also be given to patients who have had an allergic reactions to a similar medication such as Elspar.

Oncaspar Overview

Updated: 

Oncaspar is a prescription medication used with other chemotherapy drugs to treat a certain type of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). ALL is a type of cancer of the white blood cells). Oncaspar is also used with other chemotherapy drugs to treat a certain type of ALL in people who have had some types of allergic reactions to medications similar to Oncaspar such as asparaginase (Elspar).

Oncaspar is an enzyme that interferes with natural substances necessary for cancer cell growth. It works by killing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Oncaspar comes as a liquid to be injected into a muscle or infused into a vein by a healthcare professional. 

How was your experience with Oncaspar?

First, a little about yourself

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What tips would you provide a friend before taking Oncaspar?

What are you taking Oncaspar for?

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  • Other
  • Blast Crisis
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-cell
  • Lymphoma, Non-hodgkin
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-lymphoma

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Oncaspar work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Oncaspar to a friend?

Uses of Oncaspar

Oncaspar is used with other chemotherapy drugs to treat a certain type of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). ALL is a type of cancer of the white blood cells). Oncaspar is also used with other chemotherapy drugs to treat a certain type of ALL in people who have had some types of allergic reactions to medications similar to Oncaspar such as asparaginase (Elspar).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Oncaspar Drug Class

Oncaspar is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Oncaspar

Common side effects of Oncaspar include the following:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • tiredness
  • dizziness

This is not a complete list of this medication’s side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

Oncaspar Interactions

No drug interactions have been studied. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Oncaspar Precautions

Serious side effects have occurred with use of Oncaspar. Seek medical attention right away if you experience any of the following:

  • hives
  • skin rash
  • itching
  • hoarseness
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • severe headache
  • swelling of the face, arms, or legs
  • fainting
  • chest pain
  • ongoing pain that begins in the stomach area, but may spread to the back
  • frequent urination
  • increased thirst

Do not take this medication if you have:

  • a history of serious allergic reactions to this medication
  • a history of serious thrombosis with prior L-asparaginase therapy
  • a history of pancreatitis with prior L‑asparaginase therapy
  • a history of serious hemorrhagic events with prior L-asparaginase therapy

Oncaspar Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of this medication, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet.

Inform MD

Before receiving Oncaspar,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Oncaspar, asparaginase (Elspar), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Oncaspar injection. Ask your pharmacist or a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
  • tell your doctor if you have or ever had pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), blood clots, or severe bleeding, especially if these happened during an earlier treatment with asparaginase (Elspar). Your doctor will probably not want you to receive Oncaspar.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while receiving Oncaspar, call your doctor.
  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with Oncaspar.

Oncaspar and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category C. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Oncaspar should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

Oncaspar and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if this medication crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using this medication.

Oncaspar Usage

Oncaspar comes as a liquid to be injected into a muscle or infused intravenously (into a vein) over 1 to 2 hours by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital outpatient clinic. It is usually given not more often than once every 2 weeks. Your doctor will choose the schedule that will work best for you based on your response to the medication.

Oncaspar Dosage

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

  • the condition being treated
  • other medical conditions you have
  • other medications you are taking
  • how you respond to this medication
  • your weight
  • your height
  • your age
  • your gender

The recommended dose is 2,500 IU/m2 into the muscle or into the vein no more frequently than every 14 days.

Oncaspar Overdose

Since this medication is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.
 

Other Requirements

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to Oncaspar.