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Elitek® is indicated for the initial management of plasma uric acid levels in pediatric and adult patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor malignancies who are receiving anti-cancer therapy expected to result in tumor lysis and subsequent elevation of plasma uric acid. ELITEK is indicated for only a single course of treatment.

Links to Patient Advocacy Groups

Links to websites for patients about cancer, including education, access to support groups, and information about patient services.

  • American Cancer Society A national, community-based, voluntary, health organization providing information about all types of cancer and dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.
  • Association of Cancer Online Resources A collection of online communities designed to provide timely and accurate information in a supportive environment, including 159 free mailing lists.
  • Blood Cancer & Leukemia Up-to-date information on leukemia for patients and their family and friends.
  • CancerCare, Inc. National nonprofit organization providing free, professional support services for anyone affected by cancer.
  • Cancer Consultants An oncology resource center for patients and clinicians.
  • Cancer Hope Network A cancer support network that provides confidential, one-on-one support to patients with cancer and their families.
  • Cancerinformation.com A clearinghouse of information on breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, head and neck cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, and prostate cancer.
  • Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation Information and awareness for children and adolescents with cancer and their families, including free newsletters, books, and support networks.
  • Coping With Cancer Magazine A magazine for patients with cancer and their families.
  • CureSearch: National Childhood Cancer Foundation and Children’s Oncology Group The world’s largest childhood cancer research organization with a mission to cure childhood cancer.
  • Gilda's Club A network of free support of all patients living with cancer and their family and friends, offering networking, support groups, workshops, education, and social activities.
  • The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society The world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services.
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network An alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers providing information for patients and clinicians.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION INCLUDING BOXED WARNING

Anaphylaxis: ELITEK can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients who experience a serious hypersensitivity reaction.

Hemolysis: Do not administer ELITEK to patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients developing hemolysis. Screen patients at higher risk for G6PD deficiency (e.g., patients of African or Mediterranean ancestry) prior to starting ELITEK.

Methemoglobinemia: ELITEK can result in methemoglobinemia in some patients. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients developing methemoglobinemia.

Interference With Uric Acid Measurements: ELITEK enzymatically degrades uric acid in blood samples left at room temperature. Collect blood samples in pre-chilled tubes containing heparin and immediately immerse and maintain sample in an ice water bath. Assay plasma samples within 4 hours of collection.

Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNINGS

Anaphylaxis:
ELITEK can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients who experience a serious hypersensitivity reaction.

Hemolysis:
Do not administer ELITEK to patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients developing hemolysis. Screen patients at higher risk for G6PD deficiency (e.g., patients of African or Mediterranean ancestry) prior to starting ELITEK.

Methemoglobinemia:
ELITEK can result in methemoglobinemia in some patients. Immediately and permanently discontinue ELITEK in patients developing methemoglobinemia.

Interference With Uric Acid Measurements:
ELITEK enzymatically degrades uric acid in blood samples left at room temperature. Collect blood samples in pre-chilled tubes containing heparin and immediately immerse and maintain sample in an ice water bath. Assay plasma samples within 4 hours of collection.


Among the 347 (265 pediatric; 82 adult) patients for whom all adverse reactions regardless of severity were assessed in Studies 1, 2 and 3, as well as an uncontrolled safety trial, the most frequently observed adverse reactions (incidence ≥10%) were vomiting (50%), fever (46%), nausea (27%), headache (26%), abdominal pain (20%), constipation (20%), diarrhea (20%), mucositis (15%), and rash (13%).

Among the 275 adult patients in Study 4, hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 4.3% of patients treated with the ELITEK alone and 1.1% of patients treated with the ELITEK/oral allopurinol combination. Hypersensitivity reactions included arthralgia, injection site irritation, peripheral edema, and rash. The most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions regardless of relationship to study drug in the 3 arms of Study 4 (ELITEK alone; ELITEK combined with oral allopurinol; oral allopurinol alone) were sepsis (5.4%; 6.5%; 4.4%), hypophosphatemia (4.3%; 6.5%; 6.6%), anxiety (3.3%; 0%; 0%), abdominal pain (3.3%; 4.3%; 2.2%), hyperbilirubinemia (3.3%; 2.2%; 4.4%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (3.3%; 4.3%; 2.2%), respectively.

The following serious adverse reactions occurred with a difference in incidence of greater than or equal to 2% in patients receiving ELITEK compared to patients receiving oral allopurinol in randomized studies (Study 1 and Study 4): pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory failure, supraventricular arrhythmias, ischemic coronary artery disorders, and abdominal and gastrointestinal infections.

Indication

ELITEK® is indicated for the initial management of plasma uric acid levels in pediatric and adult patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor malignancies who are receiving anticancer therapy expected to result in tumor lysis and subsequent elevation of plasma uric acid. ELITEK is indicated for only a single course of treatment.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.

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US.RAS.10.03.020  Last Update: April 2010