Elitek

openFDA label record#

This page contains supplementary openFDA label data. For the canonical label presentation, use the corresponding DailyMed Structured Product Label.

Verified complete openFDA source JSON (canonical bytes are SHA-256 checked before publication)

Brand name
Elitek
Generic name
RASBURICASE
Manufacturer
Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC
Product type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
SPL set ID
0ae10bc4-6b65-402f-9db5-2d7753054922
SPL ID
424aedac-a777-40a3-b6d3-a8fe7e305b79
Version
25
Effective date
2026-07-30
Source export date
2026-09-28
Source partition
3
Source file
https://download.open.fda.gov/drug/label/drug-label-0003-of-0014.json.zip
Source object key
raw/openfda/drug-label/2026-09-28/fd09911bd1bc81f7f2faeb048e63855fe224e494376ae919a0035190e315c050/drug-label-0003-of-0014.json.zip
Source manifest SHA-256
cd2e66336a5cd2223fa3995098fdbdb84c6a7ee5c0a4addb236ccb22dd1e6887
Import run
20260929T050834Z
Imported at
2026-09-29 05:19:41

Boxed warning cross-check#

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Boxed warning sections page 1 of 1 · 1 matching rows.

boxed warning

WARNING: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS, HEMOLYSIS, METHEMOGLOBINEMIA, AND INTERFERENCE WITH URIC ACID MEASUREMENTS WARNING: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS, HEMOLYSIS, METHEMOGLOBINEMIA, AND INTERFERENCE WITH URIC ACID MEASUREMENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning . Hypersensitivity Reactions: Elitek can cause serious and fatal hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Immediately and permanently discontinue Elitek if a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs ( 4 , 5.1 , 6.2 ). Hemolysis: Do not administer Elitek to patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Immediately and permanently discontinue Elitek if hemolysis occurs. Screen patients at higher risk for G6PD deficiency (e.g., patients of African or Mediterranean ancestry) prior to starting Elitek therapy ( 4 , 5.2 ). Methemoglobinemia: Elitek can result in methemoglobinemia in some patients. Immediately and permanently discontinue Elitek if methemoglobinemia occurs ( 4 , 5.3 ). 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 ( 5.4 ). 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 [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . 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 [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Methemoglobinemia Elitek can result in methemoglobinemia in some patients. Immediately and permanently discontinue Elitek in patients developing methemoglobinemia [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . 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 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] .

Warnings cross-check#

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warnings and cautions

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Elitek can cause serious and fatal hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. In clinical studies, anaphylaxis was reported in <1% patients receiving Elitek. This can occur at any time during treatment including the first dose. Signs and symptoms of these reactions include bronchospasm, chest pain and tightness, dyspnea, hypoxia, hypotension, shock, and urticaria. Immediately and permanently discontinue Elitek administration in any patient developing clinical evidence of a serious hypersensitivity reaction [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) , Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . The safety and efficacy of Elitek have been established only for a single course of treatment once daily for 5 days. 5.2 Hemolysis Elitek is contraindicated in patients with G6PD deficiency because hydrogen peroxide is one of the major by-products of the conversion of uric acid to allantoin. In clinical studies, hemolysis occurs in <1% patients receiving Elitek; severe hemolytic reactions occurred within 2–4 days of the start of Elitek. Immediately and permanently discontinue Elitek administration in any patient developing hemolysis. Institute appropriate patient monitoring and support measures (e.g., transfusion support). Screen patients at higher risk for G6PD deficiency (e.g., patients of African or Mediterranean ancestry) prior to starting Elitek [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) ] . 5.3 Methemoglobinemia In clinical studies, methemoglobinemia occurred in <1% patients receiving Elitek. These included cases of serious hypoxemia requiring intervention with medical support measures. It is not known whether patients with deficiency of cytochrome b 5 reductase (formerly known as methemoglobin reductase) or of other enzymes with antioxidant activity are at increased risk for methemoglobinemia or hemolytic anemia. Immediately and permanently discontinue Elitek administration in any patient identified as having developed methemoglobinemia. Institute appropriate monitoring and support measures (e.g., transfusion support, methylene-blue administration) [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) ] . 5.4 Laboratory Test Interference At room temperature, Elitek causes enzymatic degradation of the uric acid in blood/plasma/serum samples potentially resulting in spuriously low plasma uric acid assay readings. Special sample handling procedure must be followed to avoid ex vivo uric acid degradation [see Boxed Warning , Drug Interactions (7) ] .

Adverse reactions cross-check#

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adverse reactions

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the prescribing information: Anaphylaxis [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hemolysis [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Methemoglobinemia [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] 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. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data below reflect exposure to Elitek in 265 pediatric and 82 adult patients enrolled in one active-controlled trial (Study 1), two uncontrolled trials (Studies 2 and 3), and an uncontrolled safety trial (n=82). Additional data were obtained from an expanded access program of 356 patients, for whom data collection was limited to serious adverse reactions. Among these 703 patients 63% were male, the median age was 10 years (range 10 days to 88 years), 73% were Caucasian, 9% African, 4% Asian, and 14% other/unknown. Among the 347 patients for whom all adverse reactions regardless of severity were assessed, 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%). In Study 1, an active control study, the following adverse reactions occurred more frequently in Elitek-treated subjects than allopurinol-treated subjects: vomiting, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and headache. Although the incidence of rash was similar in the two arms, severe rash was reported only in one Elitek-treated patient. Further studies, including one-active controlled study (Study 4) and four supportive studies, have been conducted in adult patients. In these studies, Elitek was administered to a total of 434 adult patients (58% male, 42% female; median age 56 years [range 18 years to 89 years]; 52% Caucasian, 7% African, 14% Asian, 28% other/unknown). Of these 434 patients, 275 adult patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or solid tumor malignancies at risk for hyperuricemia and tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) were randomized in an open label trial receiving either Elitek alone, Elitek in combination with allopurinol, or allopurinol alone (Study 4). A drug-related adverse reaction in Study 4 of any grade was experienced in 4.3% of Elitek-treated patients, 5.4% of Elitek/allopurinol-treated patients, and 1.1% of allopurinol-treated patients. Table 1 presents the per-patient incidence of adverse reactions by study arm in Study 4. Table 1: Per-Patient Incidence of Selected Adverse Reactions by Study Arm in Study 4 Adverse Reaction Events were reported and graded according to NCI-CTC version 3.0 and presented as preferred terms MedDRA version 10.1. Elitek (n=92) Elitek/Allopurinol (n=92) Allopurinol (n=91) All Grades % Grades 3,4 % All Grades % Grades 3,4 % All Grades % Grades 3,4 % Overall incidence ≥10% in any Elitek arm and the difference between any Elitek arm versus the allopurinol arm ≥5%. Nausea 57.6 1.1 60.9 1.1 54.9 2.2 Peripheral edema 50 2.2 43.5 3.3 42.9 6.6 Vomiting 38 1.1 37 0 30.8 1.1 Anxiety 23.9 3.3 17.4 0 17.6 0 Abdominal pain 21.7 3.3 33.7 4.3 25.3 2.2 Hypophosphatemia 17.4 4.3 22.8 6.5 16.5 6.6 Hyperbilirubinemia 16.3 3.3 14.1 2.2 7.7 4.4 Pharyngolaryngeal pain 14.1 1.1 20.7 0 9.9 0 Sepsis 12 5.4 7.6 6.5 4.4 4.4 Fluid overload 12 0 6.5 0 3.3 1.1 Increased alanine aminotransferase 10.9 3.3 27.2 4.3 17.6 2.2 Hyperphosphatemia 9.8 0 15.2 0 8.8 1.1 Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 4.3% of Elitek-treated patients and 1.1% of Elitek/allopurinol-treated patients in Study 4. Clinical manifestations of hypersensitivity included arthralgia, injection site irritation, peripheral edema, and rash. The following serious adverse reactions occurred at a difference in incidence of ≥2% in patients receiving Elitek compared to patients receiving allopurinol in randomized studies (Study 1 and Study 4): pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory failure, supraventricular arrhythmias, ischemic coronary artery disorders, and abdominal and gastrointestinal infections. The incidence of anaphylaxis, hemolysis, and methemoglobinemia was less than 1% of the 887 Elitek-treated patients entered on these clinical trials. 6.2 Immunogenicity As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. Elitek can elicit antiproduct antibodies that bind to rasburicase and in some instances inhibit the activity of rasburicase in vitro [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . In clinical trials of pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies, 24/218 patients tested (11%) developed antibodies by day 28 following Elitek administration as assessed by qualitative ELISA. Using quasi-quantitative immunoassays in rasburicase-naive adult patients with hematological malignancies, 47/260 (18%) patients were positive for anti-rasburicase immunoglobulin G (IgG), 21/260 (8%) patients were positive for anti-rasburicase neutralizing IgG, and 16/260 (6%) patients were positive for anti-rasburicase immunoglobulin E (IgE) from day 14 to 24 months after 5 daily doses of Elitek. The incidence of antibody responses detected is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay, which have not been fully evaluated. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including serum sampling, timing and methodology, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to Elitek with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading. 6.3 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified from clinical trials and/or postmarketing surveillance. Because they are reported from a population of unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Central nervous system disorders: convulsion, muscle contractions involuntary. Immune system disorders: cases of anaphylaxis with fatal outcome have been reported.

adverse reactions table

<table width="100%" ID="table1"><caption>Table 1: Per-Patient Incidence of Selected Adverse Reactions by Study Arm in Study 4</caption><col width="25%" align="left" valign="top"/><col width="12%" align="center" valign="top"/><col width="13%" align="center" valign="top"/><col width="12%" align="center" valign="top"/><col width="13%" align="center" valign="top"/><col width="12%" align="center" valign="top"/><col width="13%" align="center" valign="top"/><thead><tr styleCode="Botrule"><th styleCode="Lrule Rrule" rowspan="2">Adverse Reaction<footnote>Events were reported and graded according to NCI-CTC version 3.0 and presented as preferred terms MedDRA version 10.1.</footnote></th><th styleCode="Rrule" colspan="2">Elitek (n=92)</th><th styleCode="Rrule" colspan="2">Elitek/Allopurinol (n=92)</th><th styleCode="Rrule" colspan="2">Allopurinol (n=91)</th></tr><tr><th styleCode="Rrule" align="center">All Grades %</th><th styleCode="Rrule">Grades 3,4 %</th><th styleCode="Rrule">All Grades %</th><th styleCode="Rrule">Grades 3,4 %</th><th styleCode="Rrule">All Grades %</th><th styleCode="Rrule">Grades 3,4 %</th></tr></thead><tfoot><tr><td colspan="7" align="left">Overall incidence &#x2265;10% in any Elitek arm and the difference between any Elitek arm versus the allopurinol arm &#x2265;5%.</td></tr></tfoot><tbody><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Nausea</td><td styleCode="Rrule">57.6</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1.1</td><td styleCode="Rrule">60.9</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1.1</td><td styleCode="Rrule">54.9</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2.2</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Peripheral edema</td><td styleCode="Rrule">50</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2.2</td><td styleCode="Rrule">43.5</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">42.9</td><td styleCode="Rrule">6.6</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Vomiting</td><td styleCode="Rrule">38</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1.1</td><td styleCode="Rrule">37</td><td styleCode="Rrule">0</td><td styleCode="Rrule">30.8</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1.1</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Anxiety</td><td styleCode="Rrule">23.9</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">17.4</td><td styleCode="Rrule">0</td><td styleCode="Rrule">17.6</td><td styleCode="Rrule">0</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Abdominal pain</td><td styleCode="Rrule">21.7</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">33.7</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">25.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2.2</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Hypophosphatemia</td><td styleCode="Rrule">17.4</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">22.8</td><td styleCode="Rrule">6.5</td><td styleCode="Rrule">16.5</td><td styleCode="Rrule">6.6</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Hyperbilirubinemia</td><td styleCode="Rrule">16.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">14.1</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2.2</td><td styleCode="Rrule">7.7</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4.4</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Pharyngolaryngeal pain</td><td styleCode="Rrule">14.1</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1.1</td><td styleCode="Rrule">20.7</td><td styleCode="Rrule">0</td><td styleCode="Rrule">9.9</td><td styleCode="Rrule">0</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Sepsis</td><td styleCode="Rrule">12</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5.4</td><td styleCode="Rrule">7.6</td><td styleCode="Rrule">6.5</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4.4</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4.4</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Fluid overload</td><td styleCode="Rrule">12</td><td styleCode="Rrule">0</td><td styleCode="Rrule">6.5</td><td styleCode="Rrule">0</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1.1</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Increased alanine aminotransferase</td><td styleCode="Rrule">10.9</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">27.2</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4.3</td><td styleCode="Rrule">17.6</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2.2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Hyperphosphatemia</td><td styleCode="Rrule">9.8</td><td styleCode="Rrule">0</td><td styleCode="Rrule">15.2</td><td styleCode="Rrule">0</td><td styleCode="Rrule">8.8</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1.1</td></tr></tbody></table>

Reported adverse events (FAERS/openFDA)#

Adverse event summaries are temporarily unavailable. Other product information remains available.