oxaliplatin

What is the most important information I should know about oxaliplatin?

What is oxaliplatin?

Oxaliplatin is used together with other cancer medications to treat colon and rectal cancer.

Oxaliplatin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving oxaliplatin?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an active or recent infection;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder;
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium in your blood);
• breathing disorder; or
• a nerve problem.

• If you are a woman, do not use oxaliplatin if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 9 months after your last dose.
• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using oxaliplatin.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because oxaliplatin can harm an unborn baby.

How is oxaliplatin given?

Oxaliplatin is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Oxaliplatin must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 2 hours to complete.

Oxaliplatin is usually given once every 2 weeks. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with this medicine.

You may be given medication to prevent nausea or vomiting.

• do not inhale deeply when you are exposed to cold air;
• cover your skin, head, and face when you are outside in cold temperatures;
• wear gloves when handling cold objects or refrigerated foods;
• do not run an air conditioner at very cool temperature in your home or car (even during hot weather);
• do not drink cold drinks or use ice cubes in drinks;
• do not put ice packs on your body.

Chemotherapy often causes nausea or mouth sores. Do not eat ice chips to ease these discomforts because you will be more sensitive to cold. Talk to your doctor about other ways to treat nausea or mouth sores. You may be given other medications to prevent nausea or vomiting while you are receiving oxaliplatin.

Oxaliplatin can lower your blood cell counts. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while receiving oxaliplatin?

Avoid cold temperatures and cold objects, including ice, cold drinks, and skin exposure to cold temperatures.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

What are the possible side effects of oxaliplatin?

• increased sensitivity to cold temperatures and cold objects;
• numbness, tingling, or burning pain that interferes with daily activities;
• severe or ongoing diarrhea or vomiting;
• confusion, change in mental status, vision problems, seizure (convulsions);
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath;
• pain, redness, swelling, or skin changes where the injection was given;
• dehydration symptoms --feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin;
• heart problems --headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• muscle problems --unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine;
• nerve problems --jaw or chest tightness, eye pain, strange feeling in your tongue, problems with speech or swallowing; or
• low blood cell counts --fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• numbness, tingling, burning pain;
• low blood cell counts;
• abnormal liver function tests;
• mouth sores; or
• feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect oxaliplatin?

Other drugs may affect oxaliplatin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about oxaliplatin.