What is Cisplatin?
Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug used to treat a number of cancers. These include testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, brain tumor, and neuroblastoma. It is administered by injection into a vein.
Cisplatin Uses
Cisplatin is used to treat several kinds of cancer. It's a chemotherapy drug that contains platinum. It is used for slowing down or stopping down the growth of cancer cells.
How to use Cisplatin Vial
This medicine is usually given in a vein by a healthcare professional. The dose is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to treatment.
It is important that you take more fluids than usual and pass urine frequently during treatment with this medicine to help prevent side effects of your kidneys. Intravenous fluids should be administered with this medicine. Also, ask your doctor how much fluid you need to drink and follow these instructions carefully.
If this medicine comes into contact with your skin, wash your skin immediately and completely with soap and water.
Cisplatin Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of Cisplatin are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Temporary hair loss
- Loss in ability to taste food
- Hiccups
- Dry mouth
- Dark urine
- Decreased sweating
- Dry skin
- Signs of dehydration
- Rash
- Itching
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Allergic reactions
- Blisters
- Redness of skin
- Peeling of the skin
- Restlessness
- Lightheadedness
- Feeling exhausted too early
- Stomach pain
- Abdominal pain
- Body pain
- Swollen legs
- Face swelling
- Swollen throat
- Numbness
- Reduce in the number of white blood cells
- Bruising and bleeding
- Anaemia (low number of red blood cells)
- Feeling sick
- Loss of appetite
- Effects the kidneys
- Changes in hearing.
Precautions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to cisplatin; or to carboplatin; or if you have any other allergies before using cisplatin. This product may contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Before using this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially kidney disease, decreased bone marrow function or blood cell disorders (such as anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), hearing problems, mineral imbalance (low sodium blood levels, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphate), numbness/tingling of arms/legs, kidney stones, gout.
Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without your doctor's consent and avoid contact with people who have recently received an oral polio vaccine.
Use caution with sharp objects such as safety razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports that reduce the chance of being cut, bruised or injured.
Wash your hands well to prevent infection from spreading.
Older adults may be more sensitive to side effects of this drug, especially kidney problems, nerve problems (the numbness/tingling of arms/legs) and decreased bone marrow function. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, particularly hearing loss.
This medicine may have an effect on fertility. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. You should not be in your pregnancy while taking cisplatin. Cisplatin may harm an unborn child. Before starting this medicine, your doctor should direct you to take a pregnancy test. Women using this medicine should use reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 14 months after stopping treatment. Men using this medicine should use reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 11 months after stopping treatment. If you or your partner become pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medicine immediately.
This is a drug that passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant it is not recommended for lactating mothers.
Note
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as kidney/liver function, complete blood count, blood mineral levels, hearing tests) should be performed while you are using this medicine. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments in records.
Interactions
Drug interactions might also impact the way your medications work or increase your risk of serious side effects. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescribing drugs and nutritional supplements) and communicate them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, prevent or change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: antibiotics (such as gentamicin, neomycin), amphotericin B, anti-seizure drugs (such as phenytoin), certain "water pills" (loop diuretics such as furosemide, bumetanide)
Overdose
Never take more doses than what is preferred. If someone has taken overdoses, immediately take them to the medical emergency.
Missed Dose
It is important to take each dose of this medicine as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a new dosing schedule immediately.
Storage
Please refer to the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all drugs away from children and pets. Do not flush the medication down the toilet or pour it into the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product properly when it has expired or is no longer needed.
Cisplatin Vs Carboplatin
Cisplatin |
Carboplatin |
|---|---|
| Cisplatin is the generic name and the trade name is drug Platinol | sold under the trade name Paraplatin |
| Formula: [Pt(NH3)2Cl2] | Formula: C6H12N2O4Pt |
| Molar mass: 301.1 g/mol | Molar mass: 371.249 g/mol |
| A chemotherapy medication | A chemotherapy medication |
| Cisplatin is used to treat head and neck cancer, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, brain tumor. | Carboplatin used to treat a number of forms of cancer. |
| Injected into a vein. | Injected into a vein. |
