Rasburicase for the treatment and prevention of hyperuricemia.
OBJECTIVE
To review the information currently available on rasburicase for treatment and prevention of hyperuricemia.


METHODS
MEDLINE (1966-August 2002) was searched for primary and review articles.


METHODS
Studies evaluating rasburicase, including abstracts and proceedings, were considered for inclusion. English-language literature was evaluated for the pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and adverse effects of rasburicase.


RESULTS
Rasburicase, a recombinant urate oxidase, has been shown to be effective in lowering uric acid and preventing uric acid accumulation in patients with hematologic malignancies who had hyperuricemia or who were at high risk for developing hyperuricemia. It has been approved for pediatric use in the US.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to allopurinol, hydration, and urinary alkalinization, rasburicase is a new alternative for the treatment and prevention of hyperuricemia in patients with hematologic malignancies. Its rapid onset of action and the ability to lower preexisting elevated uric acid levels are the advantages of rasburicase compared with allopurinol. It may allow the patient to receive chemotherapy treatment without delay.
Yim
Barbara T
BT
College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. abtysy@msn.com
Sims-McCallum
Rosalyn P
RP
Chong
Pang H
PH
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015275:Tumor Lysis Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D014503:Urate Oxidase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
C469709:rasburicase; D014503:Urate Oxidase