Oxaliplatin Injection

What is Oxaliplatin injection?

OXALIPLATIN (Eloxatin™) is a chemotherapy agent used for treating many types of cancer, including cancer of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer). Oxaliplatin interferes with the growth of rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells, and eventually causes these cells to die. Oxaliplatin may be used alone or with other chemotherapy agents and radiation therapy. Generic oxaliplatin injections are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive Oxaliplatin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• active infection

• bleeding problems

• dental disease

• kidney disease

• loss of feeling, pain or numbness in the hands or feet

• an unusual reaction to oxaliplatin, cisplatin, carboplatin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Oxaliplatin is for infusion into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health care professional. If you notice pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, notify your health care provider immediately. You will continue a regular treatment schedule; usually a dose is given every 2—3 weeks. Your dose schedule will depend upon your disease and other chemotherapy or radiation used.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with Oxaliplatin?

• medicines to treat blood clots, such as 'blood thinners' (example: warfarin or Coumadin®)

• other chemotherapy agents may increase the side effects of oxaliplatin

• vaccines

Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:

• acetaminophen

• aspirin

• ibuprofen

• ketoprofen

• naproxen

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Oxaliplatin?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side effects of oxaliplatin can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.

Oxaliplatin may make you feel generally unwell. This is because oxaliplatin affects good cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to stop.

Oxaliplatin may decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Oxaliplatin may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.

Unless otherwise instructed by your prescriber or health care professional, avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®), or ketoprofen (Orudis® KT) as these products may hide a fever.

Oxaliplatin can affect how your nerves work and make you feel (called peripheral neuropathy). The first signs of nerve problems may occur with the first treatment. The nerve problems can also start up to 2 days later. Make sure to tell your prescriber or health care provider if you experience sensitivity to cold objects, trouble breathing, swallowing, saying words, jaw tightness, chest pressure, or pain, tingling, burning (pins and needles, numb feelings) in your hands, feet, or around your mouth or throat. Cold temperatures may make these side effects worse. To reduce the side effects caused by cold temperatures, try the following:

• Cover yourself with a blanket while you are getting oxaliplatin.

• Do not breathe deeply when out in cold air.

• Wear warm clothing in cold weather at all times. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or pull-down cap (ski cap) to warm the air that goes into your lungs.

• Do not take things from the freezer or refrigerator without wearing gloves.

• Drink fluids warm or at room temperature.

• Drink through a straw.

• Avoid ice chips or cubes, even if you have nausea or mouth sores. Ask your health care provider what else you can use.

• Be aware that most metals, such as your car door or mailbox, are cold to the touch, especially in the winter. Wear gloves to touch cold objects.

• Do not run the air conditioning at high levels in the house or car in hot weather.

• If your body gets cold, warm-up the affected part. If your hands get cold, wash them with warm water.

Call your prescriber or health care professional if you get diarrhea. Do not treat yourself.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving oxaliplatin because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are received oxaliplatin.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are receiving oxaliplatin.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Oxaliplatin?

The side effects you may experience with oxaliplatin therapy depend upon the dose, other types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy given, and the disease being treated. Not all of these effects occur in all patients. Discuss any concerns or questions with your prescriber or health care professional.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• low blood counts - oxaliplatin may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.

• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine

• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine

• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness

• chest pressure

• decreased urination

• difficulty breathing, wheezing

• difficulty swallowing or saying words

• jaw tightness

• mouth sores

• rash or hives

• sudden dry cough

• swelling of lips or tongue

• tingling, pain or burning (pins and needles, numbness) in hands, feet, mouth or tongue, which may cause problems walking or performing daily activities like swallowing, writing, buttoning

• vomiting that does not go away

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• back pain

• constipation

• diarrhea

• dizziness

• fatigue

• heartburn, upset stomach, stomach pain

• hiccups

• loss of appetite

• loss of hair

• metallic taste or unusual taste

• nausea and vomiting

• pain at the injection site

Where can I keep my medicine?

This medicine is given in a hospital or clinic. You will not have to store this medicine at home.