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Unlike allopurinol,
ELITEK® (rasburicase) clears new and existing uric acid1

ELITEK is the only antihyperuricemic agent that has the mechanism to clear existing uric acid1

  • Allopurinol blocks the formation of new uric acid but has no mechanism to clear uric acid1
See the mechanism of action for ELITEK
Mechanism of action: ELITEK vs allopurinol1,2

Anticancer therapy lysis of cancer cells causes the release of nucleic acids, which catabolize into hypoxanthine/xanthine, and then undergo xanthine oxidase to become uric acid. Allopurinol blocks the formation of new uric acid but has no mechanism to clear existing uric acid, unlike ELITEK, which converts uric acid into allantoin, a compound which is 5-10 times more soluble in urine vs uric acid.

Anticancer therapy lysis of cancer cells causes the release of nucleic acids, which catabolize into hypoxanthine/xanthine, and then undergo xanthine oxidase to become uric acid. Allopurinol blocks the formation of new uric acid but has no mechanism to clear existing uric acid, unlike ELITEK, which converts uric acid into allantoin, a compound which is 5-10 times more soluble in urine vs uric acid.

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Consider ELITEK as your preferred choice for clearing both existing and newly formed uric acid1

Mechanism of action (MOA) Flashcard

Reference this MOA flashcard for an overview of how ELITEK works

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ELITEK significantly and rapidly lowered uric acid levels compared with allopurinol3,4

96%

of adult patients who received ELITEK achieved uric acid levels ≤2 mg/dL within 4 hours after their first dose vs 0% with allopurinol
Reduction in uric acid levels

96%

of adult patients who received ELITEK achieved uric acid levels ≤2 mg/dL within 4 hours after their first dose vs 0% with allopurinol

With ELITEK, significant lowering of uric acid levels was achieved 4 hours after the first dose.

*Plasma uric acid AUC from Day 1 through Day 7 was significantly lower for ELITEK and ELITEK + allopurinol than for allopurinol alone.

 

VIEW ELITEK DOSING

References: 1. Ueng S. Rasburicase (Elitek): a novel agent for tumor lysis syndrome. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2005;18(3):275-279. 2. Coiffier B, Altman A, Pui CH, Younes A, Cairo MS. Guidelines for the management of pediatric and adult tumor lysis syndrome: an evidence-based review. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(16):2767-2778. 3. ELITEK [prescribing information]. Bridgewater, NJ: sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. 4. Cortes J, Moore JO, Maziarz RT, et al. Control of plasma uric acid in adults at risk for tumor lysis syndrome: efficacy and safety of rasburicase alone and rasburicase followed by allopurinol compared with allopurinol alone—results of a multicenter phase III study. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28(27):4207-4213.

INDICATION

ELITEK is indicated for the initial management of plasma uric acid levels in 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 only for a single course of treatment.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS, HEMOLYSIS, METHEMOGLOBINEMIA, AND INTERFERENCE WITH URIC ACID MEASUREMENTS

  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: ELITEK can cause serious and fatal 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 prechilled tubes containing heparin and immediately immerse and maintain sample in an ice water bath. Assay plasma samples within 4 hours of collection.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

ELITEK is contraindicated in patients with a history of anaphylaxis or severe hypersensitivity to rasburicase or in patients with development of hemolytic reactions or methemoglobinemia with rasburicase. ELITEK is contraindicated in individuals deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD).

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%), when used concomitantly with anticancer therapy, are vomiting, nausea, fever, peripheral edema, anxiety, headache, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, hypophosphatemia, pharyngolaryngeal pain, and increased alanine aminotransferase.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
  • Pregnancy: Consider the benefits and risks of ELITEK and possible risks to the fetus when prescribing ELITEK to a pregnant woman
  • Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with ELITEK and for 2 weeks after the last dose

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.

MAT-US-2020414-v2.0-08/2022
Last Updated: August 2022-08-01YYYY