Carboplatin belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medications known as antineoplastics, and specifically to the group of antineoplastics known as platinum-containing compounds. Carboplatin prevents the growth of cancer cells by interfering with the genetic material DNA, which is necessary for reproduction of cells. Carboplatin is usually used to treat a particular type of cancer of the ovaries.

Carboplatin may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Carboplatin may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Carboplatin may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Carboplatin for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are using Carboplatin, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using Carboplatin without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Carboplatin to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Carboplatin if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended dose varies according to body size or kidney function.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Carboplatin is given as an intravenous (into the vein) injection. Carboplatin is most often given as a single injection (given over 15 to 60 minutes) and may be repeated after at least 4 weeks depending on response. Your doctor may decide on a dosage schedule different from that described here.

Carboplatin will be injected by the doctor or by someone under direct supervision of the doctor. The medication is usually injected through a specially prepared site on the skin. Very careful handling of Carboplatin is required. It is always administered in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.

As well as interfering with the genetic material DNA of cancer cells, carboplatin can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects such as nausea. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor.

It is important Carboplatin be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive carboplatin, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Store Carboplatin at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Carboplatin. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Carboplatin with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Carboplatin. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• hair loss
• nausea
• taste disturbances
• tiredness and weakness
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• changes in hearing or vision
• Fever or chills
• lower back or side pain with fever or chills
• numbness or tingling in fingers and toes
• pain where injection took place
• signs of Anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
• signs of bleeding (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, blood in the urine, unusual bruising or bleeding, cuts that won't stop bleeding, nosebleeds)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased urination at night, decreased urine production, blood in the urine, change of urine colour)
• skin rash or itching

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a skin reaction at the injection site (e.g., red streaks along vein where medication was injected, pain at injection site, redness, or warmth at site of injection)
• signs of infection (e.g., fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness, cough or hoarseness)
• symptoms of vaso-occlusive disease (e.g., fluid buildup in the abdomen, swelling, yellowing of the skin or eyes, rapid weight gain)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Carboplatin.

Each mL of sterile aqueous solution contains 10 mg of carboplatin. Nonmedicinal ingredients: mannitol and water for injection.

Do not take carboplatin if you:

• are sensitive or allergic to carboplatin or any ingredients of the medication
• are sensitive or allergic to platinum-containing compounds
• have severely reduced bone marrow function
• have severely reduced kidney function

There may be an interaction between carboplatin and any of the following:

• aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., Amikacin, gentamicin, plicamycin, tobramycin)
• amphotericin B
• Azathioprine
• bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine
• Clozapine
• Deferiprone
• Denosumab
• echinacea
• Fingolimod
• Leflunomide
• Natalizumab
• other cancer medications (e.g., Docetaxel, Paclitaxel, Topotecan)
• Phenytoin
• Pimecrolimus
• Roflumilast
• Sorafenib
• Tacrolimus
• Trastuzumab
• vaccines

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Carboplatin. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Carboplatin.

Blood clotting: Carboplatin can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won't stop bleeding.

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, Carboplatin can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.

Kidney function: Decreased kidney function or Kidney Disease can cause Carboplatin to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Carboplatin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Carboplatin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Carboplatin should not be given to anyone with severely reduced kidney function unless the benefits outweigh the risks.

Red blood cells: Carboplatin may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired, or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD): VOD is a potential complication of carboplatin treatment. It occurs when the small blood vessels that carry blood into and out of the liver become blocked. This in turn prevents the liver from removing toxins from the blood and causes liver damage. If you experience symptoms of VOD, such as rapid weight gain, fluid buildup in the body, or tenderness, swelling or pain in the abdomen, contact your doctor as soon as possible. VOD can cause liver failure and death if it is not treated promptly.

Pregnancy: There is a possibility of birth defect if either the man or woman is using carboplatin at the time of conception, or if it is taken during pregnancy. Effective birth control should be practiced while using Carboplatin. If you become pregnant while taking Carboplatin, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if carboplatin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Carboplatin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The prescribing of carboplatin for treatment of cancers in children should be done only by a doctor who has experience with the use of Carboplatin for children.

Seniors: Seniors are at an increased risk of side effects with carboplatin as the kidneys may not be able to remove the medication from the body as effectively. Lower doses may be needed.