Carboplatin (By injection)
kar-boe-PLA-tin
Treats cancer, including cancer of the ovaries, head, and neck. Sometimes used in combination with other medicines.
Drug classes
Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Carboplatin belongs to the group of medicines known as alkylating agents. It is used to treat cancer of the ovaries. It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.
Carboplatin interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which eventually are destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by carboplatin, other effects also will occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.
Before you begin treatment with carboplatin, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
Carboplatin is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, carboplatin is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Cancer of the bladder Cancer of the breast Cancer of the esophagus, including the junction between the esophagus and stomach Cancer of the fallopian tube or lining of the abdomen (spreading from the ovary) Cancers of the head and neck Cancer of the testicles (including seminoma) Cancers of the lymph system Cancer of the lung Cancer of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) Cancer of unknown origin (primary site) Malignant melanoma (a certain type of skin cancer) Retinoblastoma (a certain type of eye cancer) Tumors in the brainOther uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
You may also receive medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting.
Missed dose: This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how carboplatin works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other cancer medicines, or if you took cancer medicines in the past (especially cisplatin or other platinum medicines).
Talk to your doctor before you get a flu shot or other vaccine while you are receiving carboplatin.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to carboplatin, mannitol, or platinum, or if you are pregnant or have bone marrow or bleeding problems.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, hearing problems, or an infection of any kind. Tell your doctor if you have been around anyone who has chickenpox or any other infections. Stay away from anyone who has recently received an oral polio vaccine.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Cancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Bloody or black, tarry stools, or blood in your urine
Changes in vision
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
Redness, pain, or swelling where the IV needle is placed
Ringing in your ears or trouble hearing
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Amerinet Choice Carboplatin, NovaPlus CARBOplatin, Novaplus CARBOplatin N+, Paraplatin, Paraplatin NovaPlus, PremierPro RX CARBOplatin
There may be other brand names for this medicine.