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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Lymphoid malignancies — induction (and rescue/maintenance) of lymphoma; acute lymphoblastic leukemia; usually in combination (CHOP-based) — inclusion in first-line protocols now debated (MacDonald 2005: no outcome difference ± drug)
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Lymphoid malignancies — induction (and rescue/maintenance) of lymphoma; acute lymphoblastic leukemia; usually in combination (CHOP-based) — inclusion in first-line protocols now debated (MacDonald 2005: no outcome difference ± drug) — Extra-label (human drug; product availability varies)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Lymphoid malignancies — induction (and rescue/maintenance) of lymphoma; acute lymphoblastic leukemia; usually in combination (CHOP-based) — inclusion in first-line protocols now debated (MacDonald 2005: no outcome difference ± drug) — Extra-label (human drug; product availability varies)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens3
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects114
Hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis (foreign E. coli protein) — Main acute risk — worse IV; premedicate
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Protein-synthesis toxicities: hemorrhagic pancreatitis, hepatotoxicity, coagulation disorders (↓ATIII, ↓fibrinogen), GI effects — The second axis
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Marrow suppression — RARE (its distinguishing feature)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hyperglycemia (with prednisone) — Combined-protocol effect
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Death by euthanasia8 reports
- Diarrhoea8 reports
- Vomiting7 reports
- Anorexia6 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS6 reports
- Weight loss5 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)4 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)3 reports
- Acute renal failure2 reports
- Anaphylaxis2 reports
- Decreased appetite2 reports
- Dehydration2 reports
Cat
- Behavioural disorder NOS1 reports
- Cold feeling of extremity1 reports
- Crying1 reports
- Death by euthanasia1 reports
- Decreased packed cell volume (PCV)1 reports
- Distress1 reports
- Drooling1 reports
- Fever1 reports
- Respiratory tract infection NOS1 reports
- Seizure NOS1 reports
Monitoring1
Glucose, amylase/lipase (pancreatitis), liver values, coagulation panel (fibrinogen/ATIII) at baseline and during therapy; observation post-injection for anaphylaxis (epinephrine at hand)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions5
Prior anaphylaxis to it; pancreatitis history; bleeding disorders; hepatic impairment
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The marrow-sparing chemotherapeutic: toxicity profile = anaphylaxis + protein-starvation organs (pancreas, liver, clotting), NOT neutropenia.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
IM/SC only in practice — the IV route amplifies anaphylaxis; premedicate with diphenhydramine.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Unique selectivity logic: lymphoblasts can't make their own asparagine; normal cells can — the exam-friendly "metabolic hostage-taking" drug.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
A lymphoma patient with sudden abdominal pain + bleeding on therapy → think asparaginase pancreatitis + hypofibrinogenemia, not marrow suppression.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions4
Prednisone — Hyperglycemia risk — give asparaginase AFTER prednisone
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Methotrexate — Asparaginase may reduce MTX efficacy (sequencing — usually MTX after asparaginase recovers)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Vincristine — Asparaginase reduces vincristine clearance (sequence spacing in protocols)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Thyroid tests — Profound ↓TBG within 2 days — distorts thyroid panels ~4 weeks
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Mechanism — Hydrolyzes asparagine → ammonia + aspartate; tumor cells that CANNOT synthesize asparagine starve (G1-phase greatest effect)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Host effects — Normal high-turnover tissues (liver, pancreas, gut, coagulation) partially depend on exogenous asparagine → toxicities
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Resistance — Rapid onset; no cross-resistance with other antineoplastics
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Not established — avoid (protein-synthesis disruption).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 112–113 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references20
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Survival outcomes of dogs with multicentric lymphoma treated with sequential half-body radiotherapy and L-CHOP without maintenance chemotherapy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Chemotherapy in a dog with neutropenia and marginal zone lymphoma.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- A potential risk factor associated with acute tumor lysis syndrome in dogs with multicentric lymphoma receiving chemotherapy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Microbiota utilization of intestinal amino acids modulates cancer progression and anticancer immunity.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Enhanced production and purification of L-asparaginase from Bacillus paralicheniformis AUMC B-516 with potent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cell lines.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.