Oxaliplatin, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: oxaliplatin, injection; Eloxatin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat advanced colorectal (bowel and rectal) cancer in adults. It is not recommended for use in children. It is often used with other anticancer drugs.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• bleeding or bone marrow problems
• peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
• kidney disease or damage

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. This medicine is usually not given during pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Do not become pregnant while you are receiving this medicine. Talk to your health care provider if you need birth control. Do not breast-feed during this treatment.

How should I use it?

You will receive the IV infusions every 2 or 3 weeks. The infusions are given over a 2 to 6-hour period. Keep all appointments for the infusions.

If this medicine leaks (from the needle) onto your skin, tell your health care provider. This medicine can cause severe pain and inflammation if it gets on your skin.

What should I watch out for?

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Do not have any vaccines without getting your health care provider's approval first. If you develop a fever, severe fatigue, or unusual bruising or bleeding, contact your health care provider right away.

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects your blood and bone marrow. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you develop numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in your hands or feet, contact your health care provider right away. These may be signs of nerve damage. Your health care provider may reduce your dosage or discontinue treatment.

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects after infusions of this medicine. If they continue or become severe, ask your health care provider about medicine to help relieve these side effects.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Numbness, tingling, or burning in your hands or feet; fever; severe fatigue; unusual bruising or bleeding; dry cough.

Other: Abdominal pain; diarrhea; constipation; hair loss; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; redness, swelling, or pain where you had the infusion; mouth sores; back pain; muscle pain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• aminoglycoside antibiotics such as kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin), paromomycin (Humatin), streptomycin, gentamicin (Jenamicin, G-Mycin, Garamycin) and tobramycin (Nebcin)
• diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), torsemide (Demadex) and bumetanide (Bumex)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• tacrolimus (Prograf)
• vancomycin.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.