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elitek

Elitek (Rasburicase) is a medication used to treat Tumor Lysis Syndrome, Hyperuricemia.

Rasburicase · by Sanofi Synthelabo

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 7, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Key facts

Active ingredient
Rasburicase
Form
Kit
Strength
Rasburicase 1.5MG/VIAL
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
Manufacturer
Sanofi Synthelabo
FDA application
BLA103946

What is Elitek?

From the FDA label:Elitek (rasburicase) is a recombinant urate-oxidase produced by a genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. The cDNA coding for rasburicase was cloned from a strain of Aspergillus flavus. Rasburicase is a tetrameric protein with identical subunits. Each subunit is made up of a single 301 amino acid polypeptide chain with a molecular mass of about 34 kDa. The drug product is a sterile, white to off-white, lyophilized powder intended for intravenous administration following reconstitution with a diluent. Elitek is supplied in 2 mL or 3 mL and 10 mL colorless, glass vials containing rasburicase at a concentration of 1.5 mg/mL after reconstitution. Elitek 1.5 mg presentation contains 1.5 mg rasburicase, 10.6 mg mannitol, 15.9 mg L-alanine, between 12.6 and 14.3 mg of dibasic sodium phosphate (lyophilized powder), and a diluent (1 mL Water for Injection, USP, and 1 mg Poloxamer 188). Elitek 7.5 mg presentation contains 7.5 mg of rasburicase, 53 mg mannitol, 79.5 mg L-alanine, and between 63 and 71.5 mg dibasic sodium phosphate (lyophilized powder) and a diluent (5 mL Water for Injection, USP, and 5 mg Poloxamer 188).

How to use

Administer at 0.2 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes daily for up to 5 days. ( 2.1 ) Do not administer as an intravenous bolus. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Dosage The recommended dose of Elitek is 0.2 mg/kg as a 30-minute intravenous infusion daily for up to 5 days. Dosing beyond 5 days or administration of more than one course is not recommended. 2.2 Reconstitution Procedure Elitek must be reconstituted with the diluent provided in the carton. Reconstitute the 1.5 mg vial of Elitek with 1 mL of diluent. Reconstitute the 7.5 mg vial of Elitek with 5 mL of diluent. Mix by swirling gently. Do not shake or vortex. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Discard solution if particulate matter is visible or product is discolored. 2.3 Further Dilution and Administration Administer Elitek as an intravenous infusion only: Inject the calculated dose of reconstituted Elitek solution into an infusion bag containing the appropriate volume of 0.9% sterile sodium chloride, to achieve a final total volume of 50 mL. Infuse over 30 minutes through a separate line or flush line with at least 15 mL of normal saline prior to and after Elitek infusion. Do not use filters during infusion of reconstituted Elitek drug product. Store reconstituted or diluted solution at 2°C–8°C.…

Side effects

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…

FDA Boxed Warning (the FDA’s most serious warning)

Boxed (black-box) warning — from the FDA label

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

Important safety information

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) ] .

Who should not take Elitek

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 [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3) ] . Elitek is contraindicated in individuals deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . History of the following reactions to rasburicase: anaphylaxis, severe hypersensitivity, hemolysis, methemoglobinemia. ( 4 ) Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. ( 4 )

Overdose — what happens if you take too much

Of the six reported cases of overdosage, five cases had no adverse events reported; nonserious adverse events in the sixth case (a single dose of 1.3 mg/kg) included decreased levels of blood potassium and blood albumin, and increased levels of carbon dioxide, blood lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea, blood phosphorus, blood sodium, and blood alkaline phosphatase. Monitor patients who receive an overdose and initiate supportive measures if required.

U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.

Interactions

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. The following special sample handling procedure must be followed to avoid ex vivo uric acid degradation. Uric acid must be analyzed in plasma. Blood must be collected into prechilled tubes containing heparin anticoagulant. Immediately immerse plasma samples for uric acid measurement in an ice water bath. Plasma samples must be prepared by centrifugation in a precooled centrifuge (4°C). Finally, the plasma must be maintained in an ice water bath and analyzed for uric acid within four hours of collection [see Boxed Warning ] . Rasburicase does not metabolize allopurinol, cytarabine, methylprednisolone, methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, thioguanine, etoposide, daunorubicin, cyclophosphamide or vincristine in vitro. No metabolic-based drug interactions are therefore anticipated with these agents in patients.

Storing Elitek, and how long it keeps

Quoted from this product’s own FDA label. Storage belongs to the product and its device, not to the drug in general — a pen and a tablet of the same medicine are kept completely differently.

  • Discard unused product solution 24 hours following reconstitution.

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

Dosage forms

Kit

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

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Frequently asked questions

What does Elitek treat?
Elitek (Rasburicase) may be used to treat tumor lysis syndrome, hyperuricemia, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
Is there a coupon or discount for Elitek?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Elitek. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Elitek?
Elitek is marketed by Sanofi Synthelabo. You can see Sanofi Synthelabo's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Elitek a brand-name or generic drug?
Elitek is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Rasburicase.
Is Elitek available over the counter?
No. Elitek is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Elitek come in?
Elitek is currently marketed as kit, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
Is Elitek FDA-registered?
Elitek is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number BLA103946. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Is Elitek safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Elitek. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Elitek?
Elitek's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: 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) ,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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