carboplatin

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Pronunciation: KAR boe PLA tin

Brand: Paraplatin

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

Carboplatin is a cancer medication used in chemotherapy combinations to treat ovarian cancer.

You should not receive carboplatin if you have severe bleeding or bone marrow suppression.

Carboplatin can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before you receive carboplatin, tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys.

Carboplatin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

What is carboplatin?

Carboplatin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Carboplatin is used together with other cancer medications 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?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to carboplatin or similar medications such as oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) or cisplatin (Platinol). You should not receive carboplatin if you have severe bleeding or bone marrow suppression.

To make sure carboplatin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

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

Do not use carboplatin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether carboplatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while being treated with carboplatin.

How is carboplatin given?

Carboplatin is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

Carboplatin is usually given once every 4 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may be given other medications to prevent nausea or vomiting while you are receiving carboplatin.

Carboplatin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be tested.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your carboplatin injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

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.

Carboplatin can cause side effects that may impair your vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

What are the possible side effects of carboplatin?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
  • easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
  • severe or ongoing vomiting;
  • stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
  • hearing or vision problems;
  • skin changes where the medicine was injected; or
  • low magnesium (confusion, uneven heart rate, jerking muscle movements, muscle weakness or limp feeling).

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
  • tired feeling;
  • temporary hair loss; or
  • pain, swelling or redness where the medicine was injected.

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?

Carboplatin can harm your kidneys. This effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines, including: antivirals, chemotherapy, injected antibiotics, medicine for bowel disorders, medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection, and some pain or arthritis medicines (including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with carboplatin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about carboplatin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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