Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Elspar

Asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) is an enzyme which is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is marketed under the brand name ElsparĀ®. It can be given intramuscularly or intravenously. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
E
E-Base
Ecstasy (drug)
Edecrin
Edrophonium
Edrophonium chloride
Efavirenz
Effexor
Eflornithine
Elavil
Eldepryl
Elidel
Eligard
Elitek
Elixomin
Elixophyllin
Ellagic acid
Elmiron
Eloxatin
Elspar
Emtriva
Emylcamate
Enalapril
Enalaprilat
Enalaprilat
Endep
Enflurane
Enoxaparin sodium
Entacapone
Enulose
Epi-pen
Epinephrine
Epirubicin
Epitol
Epivir
Epogen
Eprosartan
Ergocalciferol
Ergoloid Mesylates
Ergotamine
Eryc
Eryped
Erythromycin
Esgic
Eskalith
Esmolol
Estazolam
Estazolam
Estrace
Estraderm
Estradiol
Estradiol
Estradiol valerate
Estring
Estrogel
Estrone
Estrostep
Ethacridine
Ethambutol
Ethchlorvynol
Ethosuximide
Ethotoin
Etiracetam
Etodolac
Etopophos
Etoposide
Etorphine
Evista
Exelon
Exemestane
Hexal Australia
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Mechanism of action

The rationale behind asparaginase is that it takes advantage of the fact that ALL cells are unable to synthesize the non-essential amino acid asparagine whereas normal cells are able to make their own asparagine. These leukemic cells depend on circulating asparagine. Asparaginase however catalyzes the conversion of L-asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia. This deprives the leukemic cell of circulating asparagine.

Side effects

The main side effect is an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction. Asparaginase has also been associated with pancreatitis. Additionally, it can also be associated with a coagulopathy as it decreases protein synthesis, including synthesis of coagulation factors and anticoagulant factor, leading to bleeding or thrombotic events.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]



Merck & Co
On July 22, the US Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to Merck and Company (Whitehouse Station, NJ, www. merck.com) concerning the company's ...
Persistence pays off
Poor communication dynamics among health care providers may hinder recognition of medication errors. Yet, continued persistence in communicating recognized ...
Asparaginase
Definition Asparaginase (also known as L-asparaginase, and sold under the brand name Elspar) is a medicine used to stop growth of cancer and formation ...
Enzon Files sBLA for First-Line Use of ONCASPAR®; FDA Accepts Application for Review
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. -- Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENZN) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted its supplemental ...
Acute pancreatitis: diagnosis and management
Acute pancreatitis is a clinical syndrome characterized by midepigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. Numerous etiologies have been linked with this entity, ...
New drugs, new alternatives: understanding leukemia - includes related article on bone marrow transplants
Advances in leukemia research have helped create new drug compounds that fight the disease and have increased survival rates. Leukemia is seen as a group ...
GumTech International reports third-quarter results
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1996-- Company says fourth-quarter orders are exceeding plan GumTech International Inc., Friday reported ...
GumTech signs Norwegian distribution agreement
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 1996--GumTech International Inc. (NASDAQ:GUMM) Tuesday announced it has reached an exclusive agreement worth a minimum ...

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay