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What is carboplatin?
Carboplatin is an antineoplastic medication. Carboplatin interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. Carboplatin is used to treat ovarian cancer and many other types of cancer. Carboplatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of carboplatin?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects from carboplatin, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• kidney damage (little or no urine production, blood in the urine);

• decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection);

• severe nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite; or

• blurred vision, altered color perception, temporary blindness, and other visual problems.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking carboplatin and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• hearing loss or ringing in the ears;

• numbness or tingling;

• weakness;

• mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite; or

• hair loss.

Side effect other than those listed here have also been reported. Discuss with your doctor any side effect that occurs during treatment with carboplatin.

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How should I use carboplatin?
Carboplatin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with carboplatin depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule. Adequate hydration is important during treatment with carboplatin. Your doctor may prescribe the administration of intravenous fluids and/or recommend additional fluid intake by mouth during treatment.

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What is the most important information I should know about carboplatin?
Carboplatin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Serious side effects have been reported with the use of carboplatin including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); kidney damage (little or no urine production, blood in the urine); hearing loss or ringing in the ears; decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection); severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with carboplatin.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of carboplatin.

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What other drugs will affect carboplatin?
Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with carboplatin. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with carboplatin. Other medications may interact with carboplatin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with carboplatin.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Carboplatin has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Carboplatin is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefits outweigh risks.

There are no data on the excretion of carboplatin into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted into human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions due to carboplatin in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• History of sensitivity reactions to carboplatin or other platinum-containing compounds (e.g., cisplatin).
• Severe bone marrow depression or significant bleeding.

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What does my medication look like?
Carboplatin is available with a prescription under the brand name Paraplatin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
If for any reason an overdose of carboplatin is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms of a carboplatin overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using carboplatin?
Do not use carboplatin without first talking to your doctor if you have kidney disease; a bleeding problem; poor bone marrow function; hearing impairment; or an allergy to platinum, platinum-containing products, or mannitol. The use of carboplatin may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above. Carboplatin is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that carboplatin is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use carboplatin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatment with carboplatin if necessary.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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