Carboplatin Injection

CARBOPLATIN (KAR boe pla tin) treats some types of cancer. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
• Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet, muscle weakness, change in vision, confusion or trouble speaking, loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, seizures
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Hair loss
• Nausea
• Unusual weakness or fatigue
• Vomiting

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Blood disorders
• Hearing problems
• Kidney disease
• Recent or ongoing radiation therapy
• An unusual or allergic reaction to carboplatin, cisplatin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

• Medications for seizures
• Some antibiotics, such as amikacin, gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin, tobramycin
• Vaccines

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication. You may need blood work while taking this medication.

This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.

In some cases, you may be given additional medications to help with side effects. Follow all directions for their use.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.

Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.

Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects. Talk to your care team about effective forms of contraception.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medication.