Cisplatin (By injection)
sis-PLA-tin
Treats cancer of the testicles, bladder, ovaries, or lung.
Drug classes
Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Cisplatin belongs to the group of medicines known as alkylating agents. It is used to treat cancer of the bladder, ovaries, and testicles. It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.
Cisplatin interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by cisplatin, other effects will also 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 for months or years after the medicine is used.
Before you begin treatment with cisplatin, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
Cisplatin 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, cisplatin is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Cancer of the outside layer of the adrenal gland Cancer of the breast Cancer of the cervix Cancer of the endometrium Cancer of the fallopian tube or lining of the abdomen (spreading from the ovary) Cancer of the esophagus Cancer of the stomach Cancer of the lung Neuroblastoma (a certain type of cancer in nerve tissues that occurs in children) Cancer of the prostate Cancers of the head and neck Cancer of the liver Cancer of the thyroid Cancer of the anus Cancer of the vulva Cancer of the bile duct Cancer of the skin, including types that spread to other parts of the body Cancer of unknown primary site Cancer of the lymph system Hepatoblastoma (a certain type of liver cancer that occurs in children) Thymoma (a cancer of the thymus, which is a small organ that lies under the breastbone) Tumors in the ovaries Gestational trophoblastic tumors (tumors in the uterus or womb) Wilms’ tumor (a cancer of the kidneys occurring mainly in children) Retinoblastoma (a cancer of the eye occurring mainly in children) Cancer of the bones (in children) Cancer of the muscles, connective tissues (tendons), vessels that carry blood or lymph, joints, and fat. Autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)–associated Kaposi’s sarcoma (a type of cancer of the skin and mucous membranes that is more common in patients with AIDS)Other 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.
Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.
Tell your caregiver right away if this medicine gets on your skin or in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
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 cisplatin works. Tell your doctor if you are taking seizure medicine or if you have ever been treated with radiation or other cancer drugs.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to cisplatin or to anything that contains platinum. Do not use it if you are pregnant or have kidney problems, hearing loss, or blood or bone marrow 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 have any health conditions.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Your doctor will need to check your blood and urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. You may also need to have hearing tests. Keep all appointments.
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.
Side effects may appear in between treatments or after you have stopped using this medicine.
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
Change in how much or how often you urinate
Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, uneven heartbeat
Fever, chills, sore throat, cough
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
Ringing, buzzing, or trouble hearing in one or both ears
Uncontrollable nausea and vomiting
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Pain, redness, or swelling where the IV needle is inserted
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
Platinol-AQ
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
