Carboplatin

Carboplatin is a chemotherapy drug that is used to treat some types of cancer including ovarian and lung cancer. It is usually used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. It may be helpful to read the general chemotherapy information section together with this section, as it will give more advice on chemotherapy side effects.

• What Carboplatin looks like?
• How is it given?
• Side effects
• Less common side effects
• Other information
• References

What Carboplatin looks like?

It is a colourless fluid.

How is it given?

It is given as an injection or infusion intravenously   into a peripheral cannula or into a central line.

Side effects

The side effects mentioned below may not affect every one, as each patient’s reaction to chemotherapy is different. It will also depend on how many chemotherapy drugs you are receiving. If you experience any effects that you think is related to your chemotherapy, please discuss them with your oncology doctor or chemotherapy nurse.

• Infection
• Anaemia
• Bruising
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting

Infection

You will be more prone to infection as Carboplatin affects your white cell production from the bone marrow. This effect usually occurs about 7 days after your chemotherapy. Your white cells, however, do gradually recover and are usually within normal ranges for your next chemotherapy course.
You should contact your doctor or the Oncology Unit straight away if you if you have a sore throat,cough, pain passing urine, redness and swelling at e.g. at a catheter site. Or have a temperature of 38 degrees° C or greater.
 

Anaemia

You may feel lethargic and breathless due to a reduction in your red cells, caused by Carboplatin. Inform your doctor if you are feeling these effects.

Bruising

Carboplatin can also affect the production of platelets, which can cause bleeding or bruising. Inform your doctor if you notice any unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Fatigue

You may feel very tired. This can last for a few months after your treatment. Inform your doctor or nurse of how you are feeling.

Loss of appetite

You may find that your appetite decreases while receiving chemotherapy. You should maintain a healthy diet and ask to speak to your dietician if you have any worries.

Nausea and vomiting

Carboplatin can make you feel sick nausea   or to to be sick vomit  . When this occurs can vary. Your doctor will prescribe some medications to prevent this anti-emetics  . If you continue to feel sick it is important to inform your doctor.

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Less common side effects

• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Sore mouth
• Diarrhoea
• Changes to kidney function
• Changes to hearing
• Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet
• Hypersensitivity reactions

Hair loss (alopecia)

This is extremely rare with this drug but you may loose all your hair or it may just thin out. This usually happens after your first course of chemotherapy. This is temporary and your hair will grow back.

Sore mouth

You may develop a sore mouth or ulcers due to your chemotherapy. You will be prescribed some mouthwashes. Inform your doctor or nurse if your mouth becomes sore or you develop ulcers. You may also experience some taste changes, which will resolve after you finish your treatment.

Diarrhoea

It is important to tell your doctor if you are experiencing this symptom. It can be treated with medications.

Changes to your kidney function

Carboplatin can cause some changes to your kidney function. You will have regular blood teats taken before your treatment to assess this.

Changes to your hearing

You may experience some hearing loss or ringing in your ears but this is rare. You should inform your doctor if you have any hearing changes.

Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet

This is caused by the effect of Carboplatin on the nerves and can also be called peripheral neuropathy. You may also experience pain and find it difficult to do up buttons.
It is an unusual symptom unless you receive high doses of the drug. It usually disappears after the treatment has stopped. You should inform your doctor if you are experiencing this symptom, as there are medications that can be given to relieve it.

Hypersensitivity reactions

This reaction can occur while the chemotherapy drug is infusing. You may develop facial flushing, shortness of breath or a rash. This is rare and usually occurs in people who have received the drug previously.

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Other information

Fertility

It is important to discuss this with your doctor as Carboplatin may affect your fertility.

Contraception

It is important to use a reliable form of contraception while you are on treatment and for at least two years after your treatment has completed. It is not advised to get pregnant while on treatment as the drugs may affect the foetus.

Other medications

It is important to inform your doctor of any medications that you are taking, including over the counter medications or herbal drugs as they can interfere with some chemotherapy drugs.

References

• The Chemotherapy Source Book (2nd edition). M. Perry, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 1997.
• British National Formulary (53rd edition). British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, March 2007.
• Handbook of Adult Cancer Chemotherapy Schedules (2nd edition). D. Dearnaley, I. Judson and T. Root, TMG Healthcare Communications, 2002.
• Handbook of Chemotherapy in Clinical Oncology (2nd edition). E. Cvitkovic, J.P. Droz, J.P. Armand and S. Khoury, Scientific Communication International Ltd, 1993.

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