Oxaliplatin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Oxaliplatin?

What is oxaliplatin for?

Oxaliplatin is a drug used to treat advanced cancer of the colon and rectum. Oxaliplatin is a chemotherapy drug that contains platinum. This drug is used in combination with other drugs to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

This drug can also be used to treat other types of cancer (such as testicular cancer).

How is oxaliplatin used?

Read the medication manual and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by the hospital, if any, before you get this medication and each time you buy again.

This medicine is usually given by infusion into a vein for approximately 2 hours by a medical professional. This medicine is usually given every 2 weeks along with other drugs (for example, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin). Dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to therapy.

How is oxaliplatin stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Oxaliplatin dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of oxaliplatin for adults?

Day 1:
Oxaliplatin 85 mg / m2 and leucovorin 200 mg / m2 intravenously for more than 120 minutes, followed by
fluorouracil 400 mg / m2 over 2 to 4 minutes, followed by
fluorouracil 600 mg / m2 as a 22 hour infusion.

Day 2:
Leucovorin 200 mg / m2 intravenously for more than 120 minutes, followed by
fluorouracil 400 mg / m2 over 2 to 4 minutes, followed by
fluorouracil 600 mg / m2 as a 22 hour infusion.

This cycle is repeated every 2 weeks.

What is the dose of oxaliplatin for children?

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients (less than 18 years).

In what dosage is oxaliplatin available?

Solution, IV infusion: 50 mg / 10 ml (10 ml); 100 mg / 20 ml (20 ml); 200 mg / 40 ml (40 ml)
Dissolved solution 50 mg (1 ea); 100 mg (1 ea)

Oxaliplatin side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to oxaliplatin?

Some people who receive oxaliplatin injections have reactions to the infusion within minutes of the drug being injected into a vein. Tell your doctor right away if you feel dizzy, short of breath, confused, sweating, itching, or diarrhea, chest pain, warmth or redness in your face, or feel like you might pass out.

Get medical help right away if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects, such as:

• headache, confusion, mental state changes, vision problems, seizures (convulsions);
• numbness, tingling, or burning pain that interferes with daily activities
• increased sensitivity to cold temperatures and cold objects
• tightness in your jaw or chest, sore eyes, strange feeling in your tongue, discomfort when speaking or swallowing
• fever, chills, sore throat, sore mouth and throat, cough with mucus
• dry cough, sneezing, feeling short of breath during activity
• pain or burning when urinating
  easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots on your skin;
• pale skin, feeling weak or tired, fast heart rate, difficulty concentrating
• pain, redness, swelling, or skin changes where the injection was given
• feeling very thirsty or hot, unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot, dry skin

Other common side effects include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite
• diarrhea, constipation
• weight gain
• muscle ache; or
• hair loss

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Oxaliplatin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using oxaliplatin?

In deciding to use this drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed against the benefits of the drug itself. This is a decision that both you and your doctor can agree on. For this drug, the following should be considered:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

Appropriate research has not been conducted on the relationship of age to the effects of oxaliplatin injections in children. Safety and efficacy have not been determined.

Elderly

The precise research conducted to date has not demonstrated a specific geriatric problem that will limit the usefulness of oxaliplatin injections in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require the patient to be careful when receiving injections.

Is oxaliplatin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Oxaliplatin Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with oxaliplatin?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this medicine to you or will replace some of the drugs you are already taking.

• Rotavirus Vaccine, Live

Using this medication with some of the medicines below is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Direct
• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Direct
• Bacillus Calmette Vaccine from and Guerin Vaccine, Live
• Bupropion
• Cobicistat
• Influenza Virus Vaccine Vaccine, Live
• Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
• Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
• Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Smallpox vaccine
• Typhoid vaccine
• Varicella Virus Vaccine
• Vaccine Yellow Fever

Can food or alcohol interact with oxaliplatin?

Certain drugs should not be used while eating or eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with oxaliplatin?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• kidney disease - the effect of oxaliplatin can be increased due to the slower process of dispensing drugs
• liver disease
• lung disease
• peripheral neuropathy (nerve problems) - use with caution. Maybe it could make things worse

Oxaliplatin overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms include:

• hard to breathe
• sneezing
• numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
• gag
• chest pain
• breathing slows down
• heart rate slows down
• choked throat
• diarrhea

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.