Cisplatin injection must be given in a hospital or medical facility under the supervision of a doctor who is experienced in giving chemotherapy medications for cancer.
Cisplatin may cause serious kidney problems. Kidney problems may occur more often in older people. Your doctor will order laboratory tests before and during your treatment to see if your kidneys are affected by this medication. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), or tobramycin (Tobi, Nebcin). If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: decreased urination; swelling of the face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Cisplatin may cause serious hearing problems, especially in children. Hearing loss may be permanent in some cases. Your doctor will order tests to monitor your hearing before and during your treatment. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have ever had radiation therapy to your head. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), or tobramycin (Tobi, Nebcin). If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or dizziness.
Cisplatin may cause severe allergic reactions, especially if you have received more than one dose of cisplatin injection. If you experience an allergic reaction to cisplatin injection, it may begin within a few minutes after your infusion starts, and you may experience the following symptoms: hives; skin rash; itching; reddening of the skin; difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips; dizziness; faintness; or fast heartbeat. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests before, during, and after your treatment to check your body's response to cisplatin. Your doctor may need to stop or delay your treatment if you experience certain side effects.
Cisplatin is used combination with other medications to treat cancer of the testicles that has not improved or that has worsened after treatment with other medications or radiation therapy. Cisplatin is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat cancer of the ovaries (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed) that has not improved or that has worsened after treatment with other medications or radiation therapy. Cisplatin is also used alone or in combination with other medications to treat bladder cancer that can not be treated with surgery or radiation therapy alone. Cisplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.
Cisplatin injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected over 6 to 8 hours intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. It is usually given once every 3–4 weeks.
Cisplatin is also sometimes used to treat head and neck cancer (including cancer of the mouth, lip, cheek, tongue, palate, throat, tonsils, and sinuses), lung cancer, cancer of the cervix and esophagus, brain tumors, malignant pleural mesothlioma (cancer in the lining of the chest or abdomen), and neuroblastoma (a cancer that begins in nerve cells and occurs mainly in children). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Before taking cisplatin,
Cisplatin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
Cisplatin may increase the risk that you will develop other cancers. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
Cisplatin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at Web Site] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
¶These branded products are no longer on the market and only generic alternatives are available.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.