Rasburicase
About Rasburicase
Rasburicase is a recombinant version of the enzyme urate oxidase used to reduce uric acid levels in patients with leukaemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor malignancies receiving anti-cancer therapy. Leukaemia, or blood cancer, is a cancer of blood cells or blood-forming tissues. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system.
Rasburicase contains Rasburicase, which belongs to the class of recombinant urate-oxidase enzymes. It works by metabolising the recombinant urate oxidase enzyme and thus helps clear the uric acid levels.
Rasburicase may cause certain side effects such as vomiting, nausea, fever, constipation, diarrhoea, oedema, headache, abdominal pain, anxiety, and injection site reactions. Most of these side effects of Rasburicase do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. A trained healthcare professional will administer Rasburicase. Hence, do not self-administer.
If you are allergic to Rasburicase, inform your doctor and avoid taking it. Inform your doctor about your complete medical and medication history before starting treatment with Rasburicase. Rasburicase is contraindicated for pregnant women and breastfeeding women due to serious fetal harm. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Inform your doctor if you have/had kidney or liver disease.
Uses of Rasburicase
Medicinal Benefits
Rasburicase contains Rasburicase, which belongs to the recombinant urate-oxidase class of drugs. It works directly by metabolising the recombinant urate oxidase enzyme. This converts into allantoin, which is more soluble in urine. It makes it easier for the kidneys to excrete uric acid from the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Rasburicase
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Peripheral edema
- Injection site reactions
- Pain at the site of injection
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you develop any allergic reactions after receiving Rasburicase. Inform your doctor about your complete medical and medication history before starting treatment with Rasburicase. Rasburicase is contraindicated for pregnant women and breastfeeding women due to serious fetal harm. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Rasburicase may cause severe hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylactic reactions, methemoglobinemia, and hemolysis in some patients. Hence, inform your doctor if you have/had any pre-existing liver or kidney disease. Avoid alcohol consumption with Rasburicase as it may cause serious side effects. Avoid breastfeeding while receiving Rasburicase as it can cause harm to the baby. This medicine is contraindicated in patients with G6PD deficiency.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Food Interactions: Rasburicase may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption with Rasburicase as it may increase the risk of liver damage.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease before starting treatment with Rasburicase.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Rasburicase interacts with alcohol. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Rasburicase. You should not become pregnant while on treatment with Rasburicase.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended for use in breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk and harm your infant. If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Rasburicase. Your doctor may suggest you stop feeding while on treatment with this medicine.
Driving
cautionRasburicase is administered as a single dose in a hospital setting. however Rasburicase may cause dizziness; therefore, avoid driving vehicles or operating machinery until you return to normal.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Rasburicase. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before receiving Rasburicase as it may lead to kidney failure. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
safe if prescribedPlease consult your doctor. Rasburicase can be used in children if prescribed.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a balanced diet including fruits and vegetables rich in nutrients and low-fat proteins like lean meats, fish and poultry.
- Drink plenty of water daily while taking Rasburicase as some cancer therapies may cause dehydration.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight.
- Quit smoking.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Rasburicase to monitor the number and type of cells in the blood.
- Blood uric acid levels should be monitored, and be ready to utilize any supportive or pharmacologic interventions that may be required to address this condition.
- The uric acid blood samples should be collected in pre-chilled tubes containing heparin and immediately immerse and maintain the sample in an ice water bath.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is the body’s disease-fighting system. It includes lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus.
Leukaemia: Also known as blood cancer, is a cancer of blood cells or blood-forming tissues. It causes excessive production of immature white blood cells by the bone marrow and reduces the body’s ability to fight infections.
FAQs
Rasburicase is used to help remove excess uric acid levels in patients with leukaemia, lymphoma, and solid tumour malignancies.
Rasburicase contains Rasburicase, which works by metabolizing the recombinant urate oxidase enzyme and thus helps clear the uric acid levels.
Rasburicase is known to cause severe hypersensitivity reactions, hemolysis, and methemoglobinemia in some patients. Hence, inform your doctor about your complete medical and medication history before starting the treatment.
