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What is oxaliplatin?
Oxaliplatin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. Oxaliplatin is used together with other cancer medications to treat colon and rectal cancer. Oxaliplatin 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 oxaliplatin?

Some people receiving a oxaliplatin injection have had a reaction to the infusion within minutes after the medicine is injected into the vein. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel short of breath, confused, sweaty, itchy, or have diarrhea, chest pain, warmth or redness in your face, or feel like you might pass out.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• numbness or tingly feeling in your hands, feet, throat, and around your mouth;

• numbness or burning pain that interferes with daily activities;

• increased sensitivity to cold temperatures and cold objects;

• jaw or chest tightness, eye pain, strange feeling in your tongue, problems with speech or swallowing;

• fever, diarrhea, vomiting, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sudden cough;

• increased thirst, dry mouth, urinating less than usual;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

• diarrhea, constipation;

• tired feeling;

• hair loss;

• decreased taste sensation;

• muscle pain;

• headache;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• swelling; or

• back pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How is oxaliplatin given?
Oxaliplatin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up at least 2 hours to complete. Oxaliplatin is usually given as part of a 2-day treatment every 2 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions. Receiving oxaliplatin can make you more sensitive to cold. This includes exposure to cold temperature and coming into contact with cold objects. To prevent discomfort, follow these steps:

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What is the most important information I should know about oxaliplatin?
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to oxaliplatin or similar medications such as carboplatin (Paraplatin) or cisplatin (Platinol). Before receiving oxaliplatin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease, asthma, or a nerve problem such as Raynaud's syndrome.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment for your oxaliplatin injection.

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What other drugs will affect oxaliplatin?
Before you receive oxaliplatin, tell your doctor if you also take a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin). There may be other drugs that can interact with oxaliplatin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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

Oxaliplatin has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed developmental mortality and delayed growth with small doses. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Women should be advised to avoid pregnancy during treatment. Patients who become pregnant during treatment should be advised of the potential hazard to the fetus.

There are no data on the excretion of oxaliplatin into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions 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?

• Known hypersensitivity to oxaliplatin, any ingredient in the formulation, or other platinum-containing compounds.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include wheezing, trouble breathing, numbness or tingling, severe vomiting, chest pain, and slow heart rate.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving oxaliplatin?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to oxaliplatin or similar medications such as carboplatin (Paraplatin) or cisplatin (Platinol). Before receiving oxaliplatin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: liver disease; asthma or other breathing disorder; or a nerve problem such as Raynaud's syndrome. If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive oxaliplatin. FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not receive oxaliplatin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

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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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