Other Brands/Names

Kemocarb, Fuplatin, Kemobotin, Sanbeplatin, Carbofon, Actoplatin, Fuplatin, DBL Carboplatin.

How It Works

Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy medicine that stops or slows the growth of malignant cells. It interferes with cancer cell replication, thereby helping to control tumor progression.

Indications

• Ovarian cancer.

• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a rapidly growing form of lung cancer that spreads quickly through the bloodstream to other organs.

Contraindication

• History of allergy to carboplatin or to other platinum-containing agents (for example, cisplatin).

• Severe bone marrow disorders.

• Concurrent administration with the yellow fever vaccine.

• Carboplatin can harm the fetus; women of childbearing potential should use contraception during therapy and for a period after treatment ends.

Side Effects

• Abdominal pain, body aches, diarrhea, constipation, weakness, nausea, and vomiting may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe in some patients but usually subside within 24 hours of treatment; preventive or symptomatic therapy may be required. If any of these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor promptly.
• Temporary hair loss may happen; normal hair growth typically returns after therapy concludes.
• Seek medical attention immediately for serious effects such as numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, mouth sores, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness, signs of kidney problems (for example, a change in urine volume), pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site, hearing issues (such as ringing in the ears or hearing loss), easy bruising or bleeding, blood in the urine, black or bloody stools, or a fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Rarely, temporary vision problems may occur with high doses; vision generally returns to normal within a few weeks after treatment ends. Report these symptoms to your doctor immediately if they appear.
• This medicine may reduce the body’s ability to fight infections. Contact your doctor right away if you develop signs of infection such as fever, chills, or a persistent sore throat.
• A severe allergic reaction is uncommon, but urgent medical help is needed for symptoms such as rash, itching or swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing.

Types

Carboplatin is supplied as an injection.

Dosage

• Previously untreated patients: 400 mg/m² infused over 15–60 minutes.

• Previously treated patients or those in poor condition: reduce the initial dose by 20–25% (300–320 mg/m²).

Safety

• Do not receive any immunizations or vaccinations without your doctor’s approval, and avoid close contact with individuals who have recently received the oral polio vaccine.
• It is unknown whether carboplatin passes into breast milk. Because of potential adverse effects on the infant, breastfeeding while receiving this medicine is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

• Increased risk of kidney and/or ear toxicity when given with aminoglycosides (a class of antibiotics) or diuretics (medications that increase urine output).

• Carboplatin increases seizure risk when administered with phenytoin (an anti-seizure medicine).

• Carboplatin increases the risk of adverse effects from live, attenuated vaccines.

• Potentially fatal: higher risk of serious, life-threatening reactions with the yellow fever vaccine.

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