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Elspar Side Effects

Generic name: asparaginase escherichia coli

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 19, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about asparaginase escherichia coli. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Elspar.

Applies to asparaginase escherichia coli: injection powder for solution.

Serious side effects of Elspar

Along with its needed effects, asparaginase escherichia coli (the active ingredient contained in Elspar) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking asparaginase escherichia coli:

More common

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

Other side effects of Elspar

Some side effects of asparaginase escherichia coli may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to asparaginase escherichia coli: injectable powder for injection.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included a marked decrease in circulating lymphoblasts, with normal or below normal leukocyte counts, within the first days after initiating therapy. This is sometimes accompanied by a marked rise in serum uric acid. Pre-renal azotemia has also been reported.

Hypofibrinogenemia has been reported. Depression of other clotting factors including factors V and VIII (marked decreases) and factors VII and IX (variable decreases) have also been reported. A low incidence of decrease in circulating platelets has been reported. Bleeding has been reported in a minority of patients with a demonstrable coagulopathy. Intracranial hemorrhage and fatal bleeding associated with low fibrinogen levels have been reported. Compensatory increased fibrinolytic activity has also been reported.

Transient bone marrow depression has rarely been observed as evidenced by a delay in return of hemoglobin or hematocrit levels to normal in patients undergoing hematologic remission of leukemia. Marked leukopenia has also been reported.

Hypertriglyceridemia has been reported.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis (sometimes fatal) has also been reported.[Ref]

General

General side effects include chills, fever, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and headache. Fatal hyperthermia has also been reported.[Ref]

Hepatic

Most hepatic abnormalities are usually reversible upon discontinuation of therapy and some reversal has been reported during the course of therapy.[Ref]

Hepatic side effects have included elevations of SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and depression of serum albumin, cholesterol, and plasma fibrinogen. Both increases and decreases in total blood lipids have been reported. Marked hypoalbuminemia associated with peripheral edema has been reported. Fatty changes in the liver have been documented by biopsy. Malabsorption syndrome has also been reported.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included somnolence, fatigue, seizures, coma, and confusion. A Parkinson-like syndrome with tremor and a progressive increase in muscle tone has been reported rarely.[Ref]

Nervous system side effects have usually reversed spontaneously upon discontinuation of asparaginase.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included one reported case of acute myocardial infarction.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included skin rashes and urticaria.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included arthralgia.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included respiratory distress.[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included a low incidence of hyperglycemia with glycosuria and polyuria.[Ref]

The syndrome resembles hyperosmolar nonketonic hyperglycemia. While the syndrome usually responds to discontinuation of asparaginase, judicious use of IV fluid, and insulin, it has occasionally been fatal.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included depression, agitation, confusion, paranoia, and hallucinations.[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects include acute renal shut down and fatal renal insufficiency. Proteinuria has been reported infrequently.[Ref]

Other

Serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin have been reported to return to pretreatment values within four weeks of the last dose.[Ref]

Other side effects have included interference with the interpretation of thyroid function tests by production of a rapid and marked reduction in serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin within days after the first dose.[Ref]

Oncologic

Oncologic side effects have included reports of small increases in pulmonary adenomas in animal studies..[Ref]

Immunologic

Immunosuppressive activity has been reported in animal experiments.[Ref]

References

1. Fragasso G, Pastore MR, Vicari A, Chierchia SL, Pozza G. Myocardial infarction in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during L-asparaginase therapy. Am J Hematol. 1995;48:136-7.

2. Product Information. Elspar (asparaginase). Merck & Co., Inc. 2001;PROD.

3. Parsons SK, Skapek SX, Neufeld EJ, Kuhlman C, Young ML, Donnelly M, Brunzell JD, Otvos JD, Sallan SE, Rifai N. Asparaginase-associated lipid abnormalities in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood. 1997;89:1886-95.

4. Keung YK, Rizk R, Wu XY, Cobos E. Drug-induced hypertriglyceridemia with and without pancreatitis. South Med J. 1999;92:912-4.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.