Oxaliplatin

Generic name: Oxaliplatin
Brand names: Eloxatin
Dosage form: intravenous (infusion) injection
Drug class: Alkylating agents

Usage of Oxaliplatin

Oxaliplatin is a cytotoxic chemotherapy drug used to treat cancer. It is a type of platinum drug and an alkylating agent.

Like other alkylating agents, oxaliplatin works by interfering with the development of DNA in a cell. It stops cells from growing and multiplying and kills them. This helps to treat cancer which is caused by cells rapidly growing and dividing out of control.

Oxaliplatin was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002.

Oxaliplatin side effects

Oxaliplatin can cause serious side effects, including:

  • See “Important information” above
  • Nerve problems .Oxaliplatin can affect how your nerves work and make you feel. Nerve problems may happen with the first treatment or within two days after your treatment of oxaliplatin. Nerve problems may last a short time (acute) or may become persistent. Symptoms may improve after stopping treatment with oxaliplatin. Exposure to cold or cold objects may cause or worsen nerve problems. Tell your doctor right away if you get any signs of nerve problems, including:
  • very sensitive to cold temperatures and cold objects
  • trouble breathing, swallowing, or saying words, jaw tightness, odd feelings in your tongue, or chest pressure
  • pain, tingling, burning (pins and needles, numb feeling) in your hands, feet, or around your mouth or throat, which may cause problems walking, fall, or performing activities of daily living. For information on ways to lessen or help with the nerve problems, see the end of this leaflet, “How can I reduce the side effects caused by cold temperatures?”
  • Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). PRES is a rare condition that affects the brain. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of PRES:
  • headache
  • confusion or a change in the way you think
  • seizures
  • vision problems, such as blurriness or vision loss
  • Low blood cell counts (myelosuppression). Oxaliplatin when used with fluorouracil and leucovorin can cause low blood cells counts. Low blood cell counts are common with oxaliplatin when used with fluorouracil and leucovorin and can lead to serious infection and death. Tell your doctor right away if you have a fever greater than 100.9°F (38.3°C) or a prolonged fever greater than 100.4°F (38°C) for more than one hour (febrile neutropenia). Call your doctor right away if you get any of the following signs of infection:
  • chills or shivering
  • burning or pain on urination
  • pain on swallowing
  • redness or swelling at intravenous site
  • sore throat
  • persistent diarrhea
  • cough that brings up mucus
  • Risk of new cancers. Leukemia, a form of blood cancer, has been reported in patients after taking oxaliplatin in combination with certain other medicines. Talk to your doctor about the potential for increased risk of this type of cancer when taking oxaliplatin and certain other medicines.
  • Lung problems. Oxaliplatin can cause lung problems that may lead to death. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of the following symptoms as these may be indicators of a serious lung disease:
  • shortness of breath
  • cough
  • wheezing
  • Liver problems (hepatotoxicity).Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver when you start receiving oxaliplatin, and before each treatment course as needed.
  • Heart problems. Oxaliplatin can cause heart problems that have led to death. Your doctor may do blood and heart tests during treatment with oxaliplatin if you have certain heart problems. If you faint (lose consciousness) or have an irregular heartbeat or chest pain during treatment with oxaliplatin, get medical help right away as this may be a sign of a serious heart condition.
  • Muscle problems. Oxaliplatin can cause muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) which can lead to death. Tell your doctor right away if you have muscle pain and swelling, along with weakness, fever, or red-brown urine.
  • Harm to an unborn baby. See “Pregnancy and breastfeeding" below.
  • Bleeding problems (hemorrhage). Oxaliplatin when used with fluorouracil and leucovorin can cause bleeding problems (hemorrhage) that can lead to death. Your risk of bleeding may increase if you are also taking a blood thinner medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding, including:
  • blood in your stools or black stools (looks like tar)
  • pink or brown urine
  • unexpected bleeding, or bleeding that is severe or you cannot control
  • vomit blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • cough up blood or blood clots
  • increased bruising
  • dizziness
  • weakness
  • confusion
  • changes in speech
  • headache that lasts a long time

    • The most common side effects of oxaliplatin include:

  • numbness, pain, tingling, and/or burning along the nerves
  • low white blood cells (blood cells important for fighting infection)
  • low platelet count (important for clotting and to control bleeding)
  • low red blood cells (blood cells that carry oxygen to the tissues)
  • nausea
  • changes in liver function tests
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • tiredness
  • mouth sores

    • Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers your or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of oxaliplatin. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

    Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    How can I reduce the side effects caused by cold temperatures?

  • Cover yourself with a blanket while you are getting your oxaliplatin infusion.
  • Do not breathe deeply when exposed to cold air.
  • Wear warm clothing in cold weather at all times. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or a pull-down cap (ski cap) to warm the air that goes to your lungs.
  • Wear gloves when taking things from the freezer or refrigerator.
  • Drink fluids warm or at room temperature.
  • Always drink through a straw.
  • Do not use ice chips if you have nausea or mouth sores. Ask your doctor about what you can use.
  • Be aware that most metals are cold to touch, especially in the winter. These include your car door and mailbox. Wear gloves to touch cold objects.
  • Do not run the air-conditioning at high levels in the house or in the car in hot weather.
  • If your body gets cold, warm-up the affected part. If your hands get cold, wash them with warm water.
  • Always let your doctor know before your next treatment how well you did since your last visit.
  • Your doctor may have other useful tips for helping you with side effects.

    • Before taking Oxaliplatin

    Tell your doctor if:

  • you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Oxaliplatin may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with oxaliplatin.
  • you are able to become pregnant, your doctor may do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with oxaliplatin and for 9 months after the final dose. Talk to your doctor about forms of birth control that may be right for you.
  • you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if oxaliplatin passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with oxaliplatin and for 3 months after the final dose.

    • Females who are able to become pregnant should avoid becoming pregnant and should use effective birth control during treatment with oxaliplatin and for 9 months after the final dose. Talk to your doctor about forms of birth control that may be right for you.

    Males with female partners who are pregnant or able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with oxaliplatin and for 6 months after the final dose.

    Oxaliplatin may cause fertility problems in males and females. Talk to your doctor if this is a concern for you.

    Relate drugs

    How to use Oxaliplatin

  • Administer oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 120 minutes concurrently with leucovorin over 120 minutes in separate bags, followed by fluorouracil on Day 1 of each 14-day cycle. Administer fluorouracil and leucovorin on Day 2 as recommended.
  • Adjuvant Treatment: Continue treatment for up to 12 cycles or unacceptable toxicity.
  • Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
  • See the full prescribing information for further info about dosing.

    • Warnings

    Oxaliplatin can cause serious allergic reactions, including allergic reactions that can lead to death.

    Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based medicine. Serious allergic reactions including death can happen in people who take oxaliplatin and who have had previous allergic reactions to platinum-based medicines. Serious allergic reactions can happen within a few minutes of your oxaliplatin infusion or any time during your treatment with oxaliplatin.

    Get emergency help right away if you:

  • have trouble breathing
  • feel like your throat is closing up

    • Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction:

  • rash
  • flushed face
  • hives
  • itching
  • swelling of your lips or tongue
  • sudden cough
  • dizziness or feel faint
  • sweating
  • chest pain

    • See “What are the side effects of oxaliplatin?” for information about other serious side effects.

    What other drugs will affect Oxaliplatin

    Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

    Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords