Drug Notes

Oxaliplatin (By injection)

Oxaliplatin (ox-al-i-PLA-tin)

Treats cancer of the colon or rectum.

Brand Name(s):

Oxaliplatin Novaplus

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• If any of this medicine gets on your skin or in your eyes, nose, or mouth, tell your doctor or nurse right away.
• Oxaliplatin is usually used with other medicines. This combination of medicines is usually given for 2 days, but you will receive oxaliplatin on day 1 only.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how oxaliplatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using medicine to treat heart rhythm problems.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, an infection, or problems with your nervous system.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Severe allergic reaction, which could be fatal
  • Neutropenia (low white blood cell counts)
  • Lung disease
  • Liver damage
  • Heart rhythm problems (such as QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmia)
  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle damage)
• This medicine may cause neuropathy, which often bothers the nerves in your hands, feet, mouth, and throat. The nerve problems could interfere with everyday tasks, such as buttoning a shirt, walking, or writing. Cold may make these problems worse. Avoid cold temperatures. Do not use ice or drink cold beverages. Always wear gloves when you touch anything cold. Cover your skin, nose, and mouth if you must go outside in cold weather. Wear long sleeves and more clothing if air-conditioning bothers you.
• This medicine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or other vision problems. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Cancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Confusion, seizure
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Dry cough, noisy breathing, or trouble breathing
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, feet, mouth, or throat
• Trouble swallowing, chest pressure, trouble walking, clumsiness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision or vision changes
• Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
• Feeling sensitive to cold
• Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat
• Pain, redness, burning, swelling, or skin changes where the needle was placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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

Last Updated: 1/27/2017