Carboplatin Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Carboplatin Injection (generic name: carboplatin) is a chemotherapy medicine from the alkylating agent, antineoplastic, platinum analog class. It is given by injection into a vein and is used to treat certain cancers, most commonly ovarian cancer. It works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells, slowing or stopping their growth. It must be given in a hospital or medical facility by a doctor experienced in chemotherapy.

What is Carboplatin Injection

Carboplatin is a chemotherapy medicine given by injection into a vein. It belongs to a group of medicines called platinum-containing compounds and is used to treat certain cancers, most commonly ovarian cancer.

Carboplatin Injection uses

• Treats ovarian cancer, including cancer that has spread, not improved, or worsened after other treatment
• Used alone or combined with other cancer medicines
• Sometimes used for lung, bladder, breast, and endometrial cancer
• Sometimes used for head and neck cancer
• Sometimes used for cancer of the cervix and testicles
• Sometimes used for Wilms' tumor, a kidney cancer that occurs in children
• Sometimes used for certain brain tumors
• Sometimes used for neuroblastoma, a cancer that begins in nerve cells, mainly in children
• Sometimes used for retinoblastoma, a cancer in the eye

Benefits of Carboplatin Injection

• Interferes with the growth of cancer cells so the body can destroy them
• Can be used alone or combined with other cancer medicines for advanced or recurring ovarian cancer

How Carboplatin Injection works

Carboplatin is a type of chemotherapy called an alkylating agent. It damages the DNA inside cancer cells, which stops or slows the cells from multiplying.

Carboplatin Injection dosage

Carboplatin is given by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or medical facility, not at home. It is given slowly through an IV line placed in a vein, usually over at least 15 to 60 minutes, and is usually given about once every 4 weeks. It may cause nausea and vomiting, but treatment should continue even if you feel ill; your doctor can give you other medicine to help with these symptoms. If you miss a scheduled treatment appointment, call to reschedule as soon as possible.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Solution
• Powder for Solution

Side effects of Carboplatin Injection

Common

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Sores in the mouth and throat
• Pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• Pain, itching, redness, swelling, blisters, or sores at the injection site
• Hair loss
• Weakness
• Loss or change in ability to taste food
• Change or loss of taste
• Loss of appetite

Serious

• Signs of severe allergic reaction: hives, skin rash, itching, reddening of skin, difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness, faintness, fast heartbeat, swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Signs of low blood cell counts: fever, sore throat, chills, ongoing cough and congestion, unusual bleeding or bruising, black and tarry stools, red blood in stools, bloody vomit, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, fainting, or dizziness
• Sudden changes in vision, including color vision
• Decreased urination
• Swelling of the face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Shortness of breath with everyday activity or when lying flat
• Ringing in ears and difficulty hearing
• Burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet, or unsteadiness (possible nerve damage)
• Risk of developing a new cancer later

Warnings and precautions

• Carboplatin can severely lower the number of blood cells made in your bone marrow, raising your risk of serious infection or bleeding. Call your doctor right away if you notice fever, sore throat, chills, ongoing cough and congestion, or signs of bleeding such as black and tarry stools, blood in stool, or bloody vomit.
• Carboplatin can cause severe allergic reactions that may start within minutes of starting the infusion. Tell your doctor immediately if you get hives, skin rash, itching, reddened skin, trouble breathing or swallowing, dizziness, faintness, or a fast heartbeat.
• This medicine must only be given in a hospital or medical facility by a doctor experienced in giving chemotherapy for cancer.
• People who are allergic to carboplatin, cisplatin, or other platinum-based medicines should not use carboplatin. It should also not be used by people with significant active bleeding or severe bone marrow suppression.
• Do not get vaccines, including live vaccines, during or after treatment with carboplatin without your doctor's approval, since it can weaken your immune system. People in your household should avoid the oral polio vaccine or let you know if they've had it recently.
• Carboplatin can harm an unborn baby. If you can become pregnant, use effective birth control during treatment and for some time after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if you think you might be pregnant.
• You should not breastfeed while receiving carboplatin, since it is not known whether it passes into breast milk.
• People with kidney disease need extra caution, since the body may remove carboplatin more slowly and side effects can be stronger. Kidney damage can also occur during treatment.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before starting treatment. The oncology team should be told about any liver disease, as liver tests may be monitored during treatment.
• It isn't known exactly how alcohol affects carboplatin, but heavy drinking can weaken your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Storage

• Carboplatin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as blurred vision, confusion, rash, diarrhea, fever or chills, hives, hoarseness, itching, lightheadedness or dizziness, sweating, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or swelling of your hands, face, or mouth.
• Call your doctor immediately if you think you might have an infection, or if you get fever, chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising, black tarry stools, blood in urine or stool, or small red spots on your skin.
• Call your doctor right away if you have burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet, or if you feel unsteady, since these could be signs of nerve damage.
• Get help right away if you have signs of kidney damage, such as needing to urinate less, swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs, weakness, trouble catching your breath, chest pain or pressure, confusion, nausea, or seizures.
• If someone takes too much carboplatin, get medical help right away or go to an emergency room.

Alternatives

• Cisplatin
• Docetaxel
• Paclitaxel
• Oxaliplatin