What is Carboplatin?
Carboplatin (commonly sold under the trade name Paraplatin) is a chemotherapy medication used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, lung cancer,esophageal cancers, head and neck cancers such as throat cancer and laryngeal cancer, cancers of the brain, and neuroblastoma. Carboplatin contains platinum, and is used either as a stand alone drug or in a combination with other non-platinum-based compounds to slow down the growth of the tumours, or to stop cancer cell growth altogether.
Availability, dosage and administration of Carboplatin
Carboplatin is available as 50 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg, 450 mg, or 600 mg injections. It is not available in pill form, and can only be administered as an injection or via an intravenous drip.
The dosage of carboplatin depends on:
- The type of disease being treated (ovarian/lung/head & neck/brain cancer)
- The stage at which the treatment requires Carboplatin
- Whether Carboplatin is being used as an adjuvant/neoadjuvant/systemic therapy
- The results of kidney function tests performed on the patient
Side effects of Carboplatin
The most common side effects of Carboplatin are:
- Stomach pain accompanied by nausea
- Temporary hair loss (recovers after treatment is usually complete)
- Temporary eye problems and impaired vision
- Immunosuppression and susceptibility to infections
- Breathing irregularities
- Black/bloody stools
- Rare severe allergic reactions
Precautions to be taken while using Carboplatin
- Discuss all current prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements with your doctor before starting a Carboplatin regimen.
- Discuss the potential side effects of Carboplatin on your general health before initiating treatment.
