Carboplatin
About Carboplatin
Carboplatin belongs to a group of anti-cancer medicines used for the treatment of ovarian cancer and small-cell lung cancer. It may sometimes be used to treat other cancers. Cancer forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Small-cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung.
Carboplatin contains 'Carboplatin'. Carboplatin acts by penetrating the cell wall and binding to the cell's DNA, stopping the cell from naturally dividing and functioning, ultimately destroying the cell. These medicines target cancer cells because they often affect rapidly dividing cells.
Carboplatin is prescribed by a doctor experienced in the use of medications to treat cancer. It is administered by a healthcare professional as an injection. You may experience nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count), peripheral neuropathy (nerves malfunction), nephrotoxicity at high doses and electrolyte disturbances. Most of these side effects of Carboplatin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Carboplatin for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop the Carboplatin midway. Talk to your doctor before taking Carboplatin if you have severe allergic reactions to Carboplatin or other platinum-containing compounds or if you are suffering from peripheral neuropathy (nerves malfunction), hypotension, cardiac disorders, severe lung problems, pulmonary disorders, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count), neutropenia (low white blood cell count), tumour lysis syndrome (metabolic abnormalities that can occur as a complication during the treatment of cancer), hepatic disorders. Carboplatin should not be employed in patients with severe bone marrow depression or significant bleeding. Avoid taking Carboplatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because this Carboplatin can cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. Both women and men using this Carboplatin should use birth control to avoid pregnancy.
Uses of Carboplatin
Medicinal Benefits
Carboplatin contains 'Carboplatin' which belongs to a group of anti-cancer medicines used to treat ovarian cancer and small cell lung cancer. It works by damaging the genetic material (DNA) of the cancer cells, which stops their growth and multiplication. It can be used alone or with other chemotherapy drugs depending on your cancer type.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Carboplatin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss and numbness
- Tingling
- Burning
- Pain in the hands or feet
- Nephrotoxicity at high doses
- Electrolyte disturbances
- Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count)
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerves malfunction)
- Leukopenia (low white blood cell count)
Drug Warnings
Carboplatin should be taken under strict medical supervision. The doctor will regularly monitor your condition while taking Carboplatin. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Carboplatin for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop the Carboplatin midway. Talk to your doctor before taking Carboplatin if you have severe allergic reactions to Carboplatin or other platinum-containing compounds or if you are suffering from peripheral neuropathy (nerves malfunction), hypotension, cardiac disorders, severe lung problems, pulmonary disorders, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count), neutropenia (low white blood cell count), tumour lysis syndrome (metabolic abnormalities that can occur as a complication during the treatment of cancer), hepatic disorders. Carboplatin should not be employed in patients with severe bone marrow depression or significant bleeding. Avoid taking Carboplatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because this Carboplatin can cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. Both women and men using this Carboplatin should use birth control to avoid pregnancy. Peripheral blood counts should be frequently monitored during Carboplatin treatment and appropriate until recovery is achieved.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Carboplatin interacts with medicines used in the treatment of chemotherapy (e.g. pemetrexed, gemcitabine, pegfilgrastim, paclitaxel, docetaxel), antacid medications (e.g. pantoprazole) and antibiotic medications (e.g. amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, tobramycin).
Drug-Food Interactions: No food interaction was found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor before taking Carboplatin it requires close monitoring if you are suffering from Infection (bacterial/fungal/protozoal/viral), bleeding disorders, bone marrow depression/low blood counts, fever, renal dysfunction or disorders, peripheral neuropathy (nerves malfunction).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Carboplatin. It could lead to avoiding unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeCarboplatin should not be used during pregnancy because it causes harm to the fetus (newborn baby). Both women of childbearing potential and men must use an effective contraception method while taking Carboplatin and at least six months afterwards. Please consult your doctor about any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
unsafeCarboplatin should not be taken during breastfeeding as it passes into the breastmilk and may harm the nursing baby. It is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers. Please consult your doctor about any concerns regarding this.
Driving
cautionCarboplatin may affect your reactions and your ability to drive. Possible side effects of chemotherapy with Carboplatin may occur, such as nausea and vomiting. If you are affected by these side effects, you should not drive and/or operate machines that require you to be alert.
Liver
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any liver-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Carboplatin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Kidney
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any kidney-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Carboplatin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Children
unsafeEfficacy and safety have not been established. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing them.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Include leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yoghurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, and herbs in your diet.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
- Performing yoga may also help in improving both physical and mental health.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath or listening to soothing music.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Avoid fast food, fried food, processed meats, refined carbs and added sugars.
Special Advise
- Peripheral blood counts should be frequently monitored during carboplatin treatment and, when appropriate, until recovery is achieved.
- Carboplatin should be taken under strict medical supervision. The doctor will regularly monitor your condition while taking Carboplatin.
- Your doctor may get routine blood tests done to monitor your liver function, electrolyte levels, and blood cell count in your blood.
- Avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV light (such as tanning booths) and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Carboplatin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Ovarian cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed).
Small-cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung.
FAQs
Carboplatin is used to treat ovarian cancer and small-cell lung cancer.
Carboplatin contains 'Carboplatin'. Carboplatin works by breaching the cellular wall and binding to the cell’s DNA, preventing the cell from dividing and functioning normally, which eventually kills the cell.
Yes, Carboplatin can cause low neutrophils levels, a type of white blood cells that help fight infections. If your white blood cells become low, you can be at higher risk for infections. Tell your doctor if you develop a fever or believe you have an infection.
Carboplatin should be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Before you receive treatment with Carboplatin, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. You should not receive Carboplatin if you are allergic to carboplatin or any contents in Carboplatin. It should not be employed in patients with severe bone marrow depression or significant bleeding.
If not given an inappropriate dose, Carboplatin can cause toxic effects, although not everyone gets it. So, Carboplatin is prescribed by a doctor experienced in the use of medications to treat cancer only.
Avoid taking Carboplatin if you are pregnant because Carboplatin can cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. Females should follow effective birth control methods during treatment and at least six months after the final dose of Carboplatin.
Carboplatin is administered to you through an intravenous (IV) infusion. A healthcare professional usually gives it in a medical facility.
Carboplatin is not cell cycle specific. It works by forming DNA adducts, which leads to cell death. This mechanism of action is not specific to any particular phase of the cell cycle, meaning it can affect cells at various stages of their life cycle.
Yes, Carboplatin is FDA approved. It was approved on 3 March 1989.
Yes, Carboplatin is a platinum-containing compound medication that works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.
Carboplatin may cause side effects, including neuropathy (tingling and numbness) in the hands and feet, hearing loss, temporary hair loss, and constipation. Weight gain is rare but possible. While leukemia is not typically associated with Carboplatin, the long-term use of any chemotherapy drug can increase the risk of secondary cancers. It's important to discuss any side effects with your doctor to manage them effectively.
Carboplatin is not a vesicant, and it does not cause blistering or tissue damage if it leaks out of the vein. It is also not cardio-toxic, so it does not specifically target the heart. Additionally, Carboplatin is not an anthracycline, as it does not belong to that class of platinum-containing compounds.
Yes, sometimes the doctor may suggest Carboplatin to treat breast cancer based on your health situation. It is often given in combination with other chemotherapy drugs for optimal results.
Carboplatin is not available in pill form; It is available in two primary dosage forms: injection and powder for injection.
The common side effects of the Carboplatin are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, sores in the mouth and throat, pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet, pain, itching, redness, swelling, blisters, or sores in the place where the medication was injected, hair loss, pain, weakness, loss in ability to taste food. However, these symptoms vanish as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms become worse, please consult a doctor for relief.
The efficacy and safety of Carboplatin have yet to be established for using children. Please consult your doctor. The doctor will help determine whether the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks and make the appropriate recommendation.
