cisplatin

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

Cisplatin can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before you receive cisplatin, tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys. Call your doctor if you have little or no urinating, swelling or rapid weight gain, or shortness of breath.

What is cisplatin?

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

Cisplatin is used together with other medications to treat bladder cancer, testicular cancer, or ovarian cancer.

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

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

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

• liver disease; or
• if you have ever received cisplatin in the past.

Using cisplatin may increase your risk of developing leukemia. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults using cisplatin.

How is cisplatin given?

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

You may be given IV fluids for 8 to 12 hours before you receive cisplatin.

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

Cisplatin can be harmful if it gets on your skin. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water.

Cisplatin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while taking cisplatin?

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.

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

What are the possible side effects of cisplatin?

• hearing or vision problems, pain behind your eyes;
• trouble with walking or daily activities;
• numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your hands or feet;
• drowsiness, mood changes, increased thirst, little or no urinating;
• swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• pale skin, 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;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the jaw or arm, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, problems with speech or balance;
• low calcium (numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth, muscle tightness or contraction, overactive reflexes);
• high or low potassium (confusion, tingly feeling, slow or uneven heart rate, weak pulse, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or
• low sodium (slurred speech, hallucinations, vomiting, severe weakness, muscle cramps, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops).

Common side effects may include:

• decreased sense of taste;
• tired feeling;
• temporary hair loss; or
• pain, swelling, burning, or irritation around the IV needle.

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 cisplatin?

Cisplatin 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).

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with cisplatin, especially:

• altretamine;
• vitamin B6 (pyridoxine); or
• seizure medication.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with cisplatin, 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 cisplatin.