What is carboplatin?
Carboplatin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Carboplatin is used together with other cancer medications to treat ovarian cancer.
Carboplatin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about carboplatin?
You should not receive carboplatin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to carboplatin or similar medications such as oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) or cisplatin (Platinol). You should not receive carboplatin if you have severe bleeding or bone marrow suppression.
Before receiving carboplatin, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, or if you have received carboplatin in the past.
Carboplatin can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before you receive carboplatin, tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys.
Carboplatin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Call your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth sores, hearing or vision problems, numbness or tingling, feeling short of breath, or muscle weakness.
You may need to receive blood transfusions while you are being treated with carboplatin.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving carboplatin?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to carboplatin or similar medications such as oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) or cisplatin (Platinol). You should not receive carboplatin if you have severe bleeding or bone marrow suppression.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use carboplatin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether carboplatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while being treated with carboplatin.