carboplatin

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

You may have a severe allergic reaction within minutes of receiving a carboplatin injection. Your caregivers will quickly treat you if you if this occurs. You may be given medicine to help prevent an allergic reaction.

What is carboplatin?

Carboplatin is used together with other cancer drugs to treat ovarian cancer.

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

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

• severe bleeding;
• severe bone marrow suppression; or
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction to similar cancer drugs such as oxaliplatin or cisplatin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• a weak immune system; or
• if you have received carboplatin in the past.

How is carboplatin given?

Carboplatin is given as an infusion into a vein, usually given once every 4 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when carboplatin is injected.

Carboplatin can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Your kidney and liver function may also need to be tested.

You may need blood transfusions while you are being treated with carboplatin.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using carboplatin?

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

Ask your doctor before getting any vaccine while you are being treated with carboplatin. Also avoid coming into contact with anyone who recently received an oral polio vaccine. In the US, polio vaccine is available only as an injection, but the oral form may still be in use in other countries.

What are the possible side effects of carboplatin?

You may have a severe allergic reaction within minutes of receiving a carboplatin injection. Your caregivers will quickly treat you if you if this occurs.

• severe or ongoing nausea and vomiting;
• numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
• vision problems;
• hearing problems, ringing in your ears;
• skin changes where the medicine was injected;
• 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; or
• low magnesium --dizziness, irregular heartbeats, feeling jittery, muscle cramps, muscle spasms, cough or choking feeling.

Common side effects may include:

• low blood cell counts;
• nausea, vomiting;
• abnormal liver function tests;
• low magnesium;
• temporary hair loss; or
• pain or weakness.

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 carboplatin?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• an antibiotic such as amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, or tobramycin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect carboplatin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about carboplatin.