Oncaspar: Uses, indications and precautions when using

Cancer is a serious disease with a very high mortality rate. Currently, the development of medicine helps to increase the survival of cancer patients with many different treatment methods. Including the drug Oncaspar with the active ingredient pegaspargase. So what effect does Oncaspar have in treating cancer?

Oncaspar is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), especially in patients who are allergic to L-asparaginase. The main active ingredient of Oncaspar is pegaspargase, a drug that breaks down the amino acid asparagin, cutting off the nutrient supply for cancer cells and causing these cells to die.

Oncaspar is administered intravenously or intramuscularly by professionally trained medical personnel. Dosage of Oncaspar is indicated based on the patient's body size and response to treatment.

Oncaspar may cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea or pain at the injection site. If any of Oncaspar's effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away. Serious side effects of Oncaspar include: stomach pain, severe abdominal pain, signs of infection (fever), increased thirst and need to urinate, easy bruising, easy bleeding, watery dark urine, yellow eyes, jaundice, pain/redness/swelling/numbness/tingling in hands or feet.
Rare but very serious side effects of Oncaspar that may occur include: sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headache, seizures, slurred speech, confusion, vision changes, weakness on one side. body. A very serious allergic reaction to Oncaspar is possible, so get medical help immediately if symptoms include: rash, itching, swelling of body parts. , dizziness, shortness of breath.

Before using pegaspargase, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a history of being allergic to this active ingredient, or to L-asparaginase, or if you have any other allergies. Before using Oncaspar, the patient's medical history also needs special attention such as: history of serious reactions to L-asparaginase (bleeding, blood clots, pancreatitis), diabetes, blood clotting disorders , liver disease...
People who are using Oncaspar should not be vaccinated without the consent of their doctor and should avoid contact with people who have just received a live attenuated vaccine. To reduce the risk of bruising or injury while taking Oncaspar, patients should be cautious with sharp objects such as razors and nail clippers, and avoid contact sports activities.
Oncaspar rarely causes a patient's blood sugar to rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. If the person taking Oncaspar has diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly and share the results with your doctor. Watch out for symptoms of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst and urination.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is recommended that you do not become pregnant while using pegaspargase because pegaspargase can harm a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Oncaspar users need to learn reliable forms of birth control while using this medicine and for at least 3 months after stopping treatment. If you become pregnant while taking Oncaspar, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of the medicine. It is not known whether Oncaspar passes into breast milk. Therefore, to ensure safety and limit the possible risk to the infant, the manufacturer does not recommend that mothers breastfeed while using Oncaspar and for at least 3 months after stopping treatment.

Drug interactions can change the way Oncaspar works or increase the risk of serious side effects. Some products that may interact with Oncaspar include drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (anticoagulants such as warfarin/heparin, NSAID antiplatelet drugs such as ibuprofen).
Tests such as: prothrombin time, complete blood count, liver function tests, amylase levels, blood sugar levels... should be done while taking Oncaspar. For the best treatment effect, patients need to take Oncaspar according to the schedule prescribed by the doctor. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor immediately to set up a new dosing schedule.
Oncaspar is a medicine used in a hospital, so it will not be stored and preserved at home. To ensure the effectiveness of treatment, patients need to take the drug exactly as directed by the doctor or pharmacist.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical care address with a team of doctors and pharmacists with a lot of experience and good expertise. When there are health problems, customers can contact the hospital to be examined and have the best indications for taking medicine.

Reference source: webmd.com