If you have a certain kind of colorectal cancer, your doctor might suggest Eloxatin as a treatment option for you. It’s a prescription drug used to treat the following in adults:

The active ingredient in Eloxatin is oxaliplatin. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Eloxatin is part of a group of drugs called chemotherapy drugs.

For treating the cancers listed above, Eloxatin is usually given as part of a chemotherapy regimen with two other drugs: leucovorin and fluorouracil.

Eloxatin comes as a liquid solution that a healthcare professional gives by intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). This is done at a hospital, infusion center, or other medical facility.

This article describes the dosages of Eloxatin, as well as its strengths and how it’s given. To learn more about Eloxatin, see this in-depth article.

Below you’ll find information about the usual dosages of Eloxatin.

Note: This chart highlights the basics of Eloxatin’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail.

Eloxatin formEloxatin strengths*Eloxatin dosage†
liquid solution for IV infusion• 50 mg
• 100 mg		85 mg/m2

* Eloxatin strengths are in milligrams (mg). For both strengths, the drug comes in a single-dose vial containing 5 mg of the drug per milliliter of liquid solution (5 mg/mL).
† Dosage is based on body surface area (BSA), which is calculated in meters squared (m2).

What is the form of Eloxatin?

Eloxatin is available as a liquid solution in single-dose vials. A healthcare professional gives the drug by intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time).

What strengths does Eloxatin come in?

Eloxatin strengths are in milligrams (mg). Eloxatin comes in the following strengths:

  • 50 mg
  • 100 mg

Each single-dose vial contains 5 mg of the drug per milliliter of liquid solution (5 mg/mL).

What are the usual dosages of Eloxatin?

Your doctor will likely determine your dosage based on whether you have certain side effects related to the condition you’re receiving Eloxatin to treat.

The information below describes Eloxatin dosages that are commonly used or recommended for the conditions Eloxatin treats. But your doctor will give you the dosage that best fits your needs.

For the kinds of cancer Eloxatin treats, it’s usually given as part of a chemotherapy regimen with two other drugs: leucovorin and fluorouracil. For information about the dosages for these drugs, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for stage 3 colon cancer after surgery

Your doctor will calculate your Eloxatin dosage based on your body surface area (BSA) in meters squared (m2). They’ll use your height and weight to determine your BSA.

The usual Eloxatin dosage for stage 3 colon cancer after surgery is 85 mg of the drug per m2 of your BSA (85 mg/m2).

You’ll get an Eloxatin infusion on day 1 of a 14-day period called a treatment cycle. You may receive Eloxatin for up to 12 treatment cycles, which is about 6 months.

Dosage for advanced colorectal cancer

For advanced colorectal cancer, your doctor will calculate your Eloxatin dosage based on your BSA. (See the previous section for a description of BSA.) The usual Eloxatin dosage for this condition is 85 mg/m2.

You’ll get an Eloxatin infusion on day 1 of a 14-day treatment cycle. For treating advanced colorectal cancer, there is no limit to the number of treatment cycles you can have. You may continue taking the drug for as long as it works for you.

Dosage adjustments

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may decrease your dose of Eloxatin.

They may also decrease your dose if you have certain serious reactions to the drug. These include:

  • nerve damage that leads to numbness or weakness in the feet and hands
  • low levels of certain blood cells that help with immunity or clotting
  • serious digestive system problems

If your side effects are very bad, your doctor may stop your Eloxatin dosage temporarily. Or they may recommend another drug for your cancer.

The dosage of Eloxatin you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Eloxatin to treat
  • your height and weight
  • side effects you may have from Eloxatin
  • other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” just above)

A healthcare professional will give you Eloxatin as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). You’ll usually need to go to a hospital, infusion center, or other medical facility for your infusion treatment, so be sure to plan ahead. The infusion itself should take about 2 hours.

For the kinds of cancer Eloxatin treats, the drug is usually given as part of a chemotherapy regimen with two other drugs: leucovorin and fluorouracil. You’ll likely receive all three drugs on day 1 of a 14-day treatment cycle. Then you’ll receive leucovorin and fluorouracil again on day 2 of the cycle.

So for each treatment cycle, you’ll usually need to plan for two trips to the medical facility where you get your infusions. Your doctor can tell you more about your treatment schedule.

Note: Before you begin Eloxatin treatment, talk with your doctor about how to prepare for chemotherapy. They can also describe the infusion procedure in more detail.

If you’ll miss an appointment for your Eloxatin infusion, call the facility where you receive your infusions to reschedule as soon as possible. Make sure to also tell your doctor about any missed infusion appointments, as this may affect your treatment schedule.

If you need help remembering your appointment, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

The sections above describe the usual Eloxatin dosages provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends Eloxatin for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • How should I prepare for my Eloxatin infusion?
  • Will my dosage change if I have side effects?
  • Does a lower Eloxatin dosage come with a lower risk of side effects?
  • Should my dosage change if my stage 3 colon cancer improves?
  • How long can I expect my Eloxatin treatment to last for advanced colorectal cancer?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.