Medical term:
onc
pegaspargase (PEG-L-asparaginase)
Pharmacologic class: Enzyme
Therapeutic class: Antineoplastic
Pregnancy risk category C
Action
Stimulates production of effector proteins, such as serum neopterin and 2', 5' oligodenylate synthetase; raises body temperature and reversibly lowers white blood cell and platelet counts
Availability
Injection: 750 international units/ml, 5-ml vial in phosphate-buffered saline solution
Indications and dosages
➣ Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Adults and children with body surface area (BSA) greater than 0.6 m2: 2,500 international units/m2 I.M. or I.V. q 14 days
Adults and children with BSA less than 0.6 m2: 82.5 international units/m2 I.M. or I.V. q 14 days
Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity or previous serious allergic reaction (such as generalized urticaria, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, hypotension) to drug
• Pancreatitis or history of pancreatitis
• Previous hemorrhagic events related to L-asparaginase therapy
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
• renal or hepatic disease, CNS disorders
• concurrent use of hepatotoxic agents, anticoagulants, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients.
Administration
☞ Follow facility protocol for handling, preparing, and disposing of chemotherapeutic drugs.
☞ Avoid inhaling vapors and contact with skin or mucous membranes.
☞ Keep resuscitation equipment, epinephrine, oxygen, steroids, and anti-histamines readily available.
• Know that I.M. route is preferred because it's less likely to cause hepato-toxicity, coagulopathy, and GI or renal disorders. For single I.M. injection, don't exceed volume of 2 ml.
• For I.V. use, dilute in 100 ml of normal saline solution or dextrose 5% in water. Infuse over 1 to 2 hours.
☞ Don't freeze; freezing inactivates drug.
Adverse reactions
CNS: dizziness, headache, confusion, hallucinations, emotional lability, drowsiness, neuritis, Parkinson-like syndrome, malaise, coma, seizures
CV: hypertension, hypotension, chest pain, peripheral edema, tachycardia, endocarditis
GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, flatulence, anorexia, pancreatitis GU: glycosuria, polyuria, urinary frequency, hematuria
Hematologic: hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocy-topenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation
Hepatic: jaundice, fatty liver deposits, hepatotoxicity, hepatomegaly
Metabolic: hypoproteinemia, hyperuricemia, hyperammonemia, hyponatremia, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia Respiratory: dyspnea, cough, bronchospasm
Skin: rash, urticaria, pruritus, night sweats, alopecia
Other: increased appetite and thirst, weight loss, chills, fever, injection site reaction, facial or lip edema, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, septic shock
Interactions
Drug-drug. Aspirin, dipyridamole, heparin, NSAIDs, warfarin: increased risk of bleeding or thrombosis
Methotrexate: decreased methotrexate action
Drug-diagnostic tests. Amylase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, lipase, uric acid: increased levels
Glucose: increased or decreased level
Liver function tests: abnormal results
Lymphoblasts: decreased count
Plasma proteins: altered levels
Patient monitoring
☞ Watch for anaphylaxis and other hypersensitivity reactions, especially during first hour of therapy.
• Monitor CBC (including platelet count); fibrinogen; prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times; International Normalized Ratio; and serum amylase, lipase, and uric acid levels.
☞ Assess neurologic status. Stay alert for decreased level of consciousness and evidence of impending seizure.
• Check for signs and symptoms of bleeding, infection, and hyperglycemia.
• Monitor heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, and fluid intake and output.
Patient teaching
☞ Teach patient to recognize and immediately report signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions, bleeding, infection, and other adverse reactions.
• Tell patient drug is likely to cause reversible hair loss.
• Stress importance of undergoing follow-up laboratory tests.
• Advise patient to avoid situations that increase risk for infection.
• Instruct patient to consult pre-scriber before taking other prescription drugs or over-the-counter preparations.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs and tests mentioned above.
pegaspargase
(peg-ass-par-jase) ,Oncaspar
(trade name),PEG-l-asparaginase
(trade name)Classification
Therapeutic: antineoplasticsPharmacologic: enzymes
Indications
Action
Therapeutic effects
Pharmacokinetics
Time/action profile (hematologic effects)
| ROUTE | ONSET | PEAK | DURATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| IV | rapid | unknown | 14 days |
Contraindications/Precautions
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
Central nervous system
- seizures (life-threatening)
- headache
- malaise
Gastrointestinal
- pancreatitis (life-threatening)
- abdominal pain
- abnormal liver function tests
- anorexia
- diarrhea
- lip edema
- nausea
- vomiting
Dermatologic
- jaundice
Endocrinologic
- hyperglycemia
Fluid and Electrolyte
- peripheral edema
Hematologic
- decreased fibrinogen
- disseminated intravascular coagulation
- hemolytic anemia
- increased thromboplastin
- leukopenia
- pancytopenia
- thrombocytopenia
Local
- injection site hypersensitivity
- injection site pain
- thrombosis
Musculoskeletal
- arthralgia
- myalgia
- pain in extremities
Neurologic
- paresthesia
Miscellaneous
- chills
- hypersensitivity reactions
- night sweats
Interactions
Drug-Drug interaction
May alter response to anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents.May alter the response to other drugs that are metabolized by the liver.Route/Dosage
Availability
Nursing implications
Nursing assessment
- Assess patient for previous hypersensitivity reactions to native l-asparaginase. Monitor for hypersensitivity reaction (urticaria, diaphoresis, facial swelling, joint pain, hypotension, bronchospasm) for at least 1 hr following administration. Epinephrine and resuscitation equipment should be readily available. Reaction may occur up to 2 hr after administration.
- Monitor for development of bone marrow depression. Assess for fever, sore throat, and signs of infection. Monitor platelet count throughout therapy. Assess for bleeding (bleeding gums, bruising, petechiae, guaiac test stools, urine, and emesis). Avoid giving IM injections and taking rectal temperatures. Apply pressure to venipuncture sites for 10 min. Anemia may occur. Monitor for increased fatigue, dyspnea, and orthostatic hypotension.
- Monitor patient frequently for signs of pancreatitis (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain).
- Assess nausea, vomiting, and appetite. Weigh patient weekly. Prophylactic antiemetics may be used prior to administration.
- Lab Test Considerations: Monitor CBC prior to and periodically throughout therapy. May alter coagulation studies. Fibrinogen may be decreased; PT and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) may be ↑.
- Monitor serum amylase frequently to detect pancreatitis.
- Monitor blood glucose; may cause hyperglycemia.
- May cause elevated BUN and serum creatinine.
- Hepatotoxicity may be manifested by increased AST, ALT, or bilirubin. Liver function tests usually return to normal after therapy.
- May cause ↓ serum calcium.
- May cause elevated serum and urine uric acid and hyponatremia.
Potential Nursing Diagnoses
Risk for infection (Adverse Reactions)Implementation
- IM is the preferred route because of a lower incidence of adverse reactions.
- Solutions should be prepared in a biologic cabinet. Wear gloves, gown, and mask while handling medication. Discard equipment in specially designated containers.
- Intramuscular: Limit single injection volume to 2 mL. If volume of injection is >2 mL, use multiple injection sites.
Intravenous Administration
- pH: 7.3.
- Intermittent Infusion: Diluent: Dilute each dose in 100 mL of 0.9% NaCl or D5W. Do not shake or agitate. Do not use if solution is cloudy or has formed a precipitate.
- Use only 1 dose per vial; do not re-enter the vial. Discard unused portions.
- Keep refrigerated but do not freeze. Freezing destroys activity but does not change the appearance of pegaspargase.
- Rate: Administer over 1–2 hr via Y-site through an infusion that is already running.
- Additive Incompatibility: Information unavailable. Do not admix with other medications or solutions.
Patient/Family Teaching
- Inform patient of the possibility of hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.
- Advise patient that concurrent use of other medications may increase the risk of bleeding and the toxicity of pegaspargase. Consult health care professional before taking any other medications, including OTC drugs.
- Instruct patient to notify health care professional if abdominal pain, severe nausea and vomiting, jaundice, fever, chills, sore throat, bleeding or bruising, excess thirst or urination, or mouth sores occur. Caution patient to avoid crowds and persons with known infections. Instruct patient to use soft toothbrush, electric razor, and to be especially careful to avoid falls. Patients should also be cautioned not to drink alcoholic beverages or take medications containing aspirin or NSAIDs because these may precipitate gastric bleeding.
- Instruct patient not to receive any vaccinations without advice of health care professional. Advise parents that this may alter child’s immunization schedule.
- Emphasize the need for periodic lab tests to monitor for side effects.
Evaluation/Desired Outcomes
- Improvement of hematologic status in patients with leukemia.
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