Carboplatin can cause severe blood disorders (e.g., anemia, bone marrow suppression) that can result in infection and bleeding problems. Your risk of developing these problems increases with higher doses or longer treatment with carboplatin. Also, an unlikely but very serious allergic reaction to this drug may occur within minutes of receiving a dose. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms: easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat, fever), unusual tiredness, rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.

Vomiting is a common side effect of this medication. See the Side Effects section for more information.

Carboplatin is used to treat various types of cancer. It is a chemotherapy drug that contains platinum. It is used alone or in combination with other medications to slow or stop cancer cell growth.

Carboplatin is usually given by infusion into a vein (intravenously-IV) over at least 15 minutes by a healthcare professional. This medication should be mixed in the proper solution. Before using, check this medication visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Do not use needles or IV tubing that contain aluminum because this medication reacts with aluminum. If you have questions regarding the use of this medication, consult your pharmacist.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to therapy. In general, courses of carboplatin treatment should not be given more often than once every 4 weeks. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Stomach pain, body aches/pain, diarrhea, constipation, weakness, nausea, and vomiting may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe in some patients but usually go away within 24 hours of treatment. Drug therapy may be needed to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Not eating before your treatment may help relieve vomiting. Changes in diet such as eating several small meals or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: numbness or tingling in the hands/feet, mouth sores, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness, change in the amount of urine, pain/swelling/redness at the injection site.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: hearing problems (e.g., ringing in the ears, hearing loss), easy bruising/bleeding, blood in the urine, black/bloody stools, fast/irregular heartbeat.

Rarely, temporary vision loss may occur with high doses of carboplatin. Normal vision usually returns within several weeks after the end of treatment. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and report this side effect immediately if it occurs.

This medication can lower your body's ability to fight an infection. Notify your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an infection such as fever, chills or persistent sore throat.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

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

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using carboplatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, or to cisplatin; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: decreased bone marrow function/blood cell disorders (e.g., anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, mineral imbalance (low blood levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium).

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine.

Use caution with sharp objects like safety razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the chance of getting cut, bruised or injured.

Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections.

The elderly may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially to bleeding problems and numbness/tingling of the hands/feet.

Children may be at greater risk for hearing loss when carboplatin is used at higher-than-recommended doses in combination with other medications that may affect hearing.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may cause harm to an unborn baby. Women of childbearing age should use reliable form(s) of birth control during treatment and for some time afterwards. Consult your doctor for more details.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: nalidixic acid.

If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting carboplatin.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, neomycin), amphotericin B, certain anti-seizure medications (hydantoins such as phenytoin), certain "water pills" (loop diuretics such as furosemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid).

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood counts, kidney function tests, blood mineral levels) should be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

For optimal benefits, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule.

Store the US vials at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted.

Store the Canadian vials at room temperature between 59 to 77 degrees F (15 to 25 degrees C) away from light.

Once prepared, this medication should be used within 8 hours.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised October 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.