Carboplatin (Paraplatin )  

Brand name: Paraplatin    

Generic name: Carboplatin  

Other name: CBDCA 

Therapeutic Class: alkylating agent 

Manufacturer / Distributor: Bristol-Myers Squibb 

Availability: Carboplatin is available by prescription only  

Indication: Carboplatin is used in the treatment of the following cancers:  

• ovarian cancer  
• lung cancer 
• testicular cancer 
• head and neck cancer 
• bladder cancer
• Retinoblastoma.

Some doctors may prescribe Carboplatin for other medical conditions not mentioned in this article if they believe it will help. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

Dosage form: Carboplatingiven by infusion into a vein 

Dosage: Carboplatin comes in the form of sterile injectable solution containing 10 mg of carboplatin per mL (10 mg/ml ), in vials of 5, 15 and 45 mL. Carboplatin should be administered only in hospital by specialists in oncology, hematology, or by physicians experienced in the field of chemotherapy. In addition, Carboplatin requires special monitoring thoughout the treatment.  

Your oncologist will consider your body surface area (BSA), characteristic of the tumor and the status of your overall health to determine the most appropriate dosage to prescribe you. In general, the drug is injected into a vein, through an intravenous site on the skin that has been sterilized, over a period of 15 to 60 minutes. The injection can be repeated after four weeks depending on the reactions of your body.  

Overdose: the fact that Carboplatin is administered in hospital, the risk of overdose is greatly reduced; however, it is not impossible. Carboplatin overdose increased the toxic effects of the medication, and cause severe headaches, malaise or life threatening conditions. If you suspect that you are overdosed, contact your health care provider or visit a drug and poison center near immediately. Any negligence in chemotherapy overdose can lead to death.  

Contraindication : C arboplatin is not indicated for patients who fall in the following conditions:  

• pregnant women 
• women who are breastfeeding  
• allergy to carboplatin or its ingredients  
• kidney failure  
• liver failure  
• significant reduction of the function of the bone marrow  
• bleeding tumor
• History of severe allergy to mannitol. 

Interactions: talk you to your doctor before taking prescription or non-prescription medications such as vitamins, nutritional supplements and St. John's Wort. Carboplatin should not be associated with certain medications; they can alter the effects of the drug or increase the risk of developing side effects. Consult your doctor before taking the following medicines:   

• vaccins 
• Ganciclovir , an antiviral drug
• Amphotericin B, a polyene antifungal drug
• Azathioprine , an immune system inhibitor
• Digoxin, a medication used in the treatment of several heart conditions
• Plicamycin , a chemotherapy used to stop the growth of cancer cells
• Amiodarone , a medication used to treat irregular heart beat
• Barbiturates, depressant drug that causes relaxation and sleepiness
• Cimetidine , a drug used to inhibit the production of acid in the stomach
• Colchicines , a medication used to treat pain of gouty arthritis
• Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), a medication of the alkylating agent family used to treat a variety of cancers
• Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Cytoxan, Neosar, Procytox, Revimmune), a drug used to treat several types of cancers.

Side effects: In addition to stopping the growth of cancer cells, Carboplatin may also interfere with your healthy cells that multiply quickly, and cause adverse effects. Common Carboplatin side effects include:  

following cancers:  

• fatigue 
• sleepiness
• hair loss
• weight loss
• ear ringing or hearing loss
• nausea and vomiting
• decreased appetite
• taste changes
• vision changes
• numbness or tingling in the fingertips
• bowel disorders (constipation or diarrhea)
• Formation of sores in the mouth.  

Although rare, Carboplatine can cause serious side effects which require immediate medical attention; contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:    

• dizziness 
•   fainting (temporary loss of consciousness)  
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
• painful or difficulty swallowing 
•  yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)  
•  unusual bruising or bleeding 
•   skin disorders such as rash, hives or itching 
•  Swelling of your arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs.  

References:  

1 - nlm.nih.gov,  Carboplatin