Oxaliplatin (Generic Name)
Other Names: Eloxatin™
About This Drug
Oxaliplatin is used to treat cancer. It is given intravenously.
Possible Side Effects (More Common)
- nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy). You may become very sensitive to cold temperatures and objects. You may feel pain, tingling, burning, or numbness in your hands, or feet, or around your mouth. You may feel throat tightness and difficulty swallowing or breathing. The first signs of nerve problems may occur with the first treatment or up to 2 days afterwards. This may last from 5-14 days after you receive the drug.
- bone marrow depression. This is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. It may increase your risk for infection, fatigue, and bleeding.
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain
- changes in bowel movements. Some patients experience diarrhea, while other patients experience constipation.
- headache
- back pain
- sudden cough
- fever
- trouble sleeping
- tiredness
- changes in the tissue of the lung. You may develop a dry cough or have trouble breathing. These may be signs of lung disease called pulmonary fibrosis. Your doctor will monitor your lung function as needed.
Possible Side Effects (Less Common)
- blood clots (rare). A blood clot in your leg may cause your leg to swell, appear red, or feel warm. It may cause pain. A blood clot in your lungs may cause shortness of breath, pain when breathing, and/or chest pain.
- dizziness
- rash
- sore mouth and throat. You may have red areas, white patches, or sores that are painful.
- swelling in the legs, ankles, and/or feet
- decreased appetite
- skin and tissue irritation. This may include redness, pain, warmth, or swelling at the IV site. This occurs if the drug leaks out of the vein and into the surrounding tissue.
- liver changes. This drug may affect the way you liver works. Your doctor will monitor your liver function as needed.
Sexual Problems and Reproduction Concerns
Pregnancy Warning: This drug may have harmful effects on the unborn child, so effective methods of birth control should be used by both men and women during your cancer treatment and for at least 6 months after treatment.
Genetic counseling is available to you to discuss the effects of this drug therapy on future pregnancies. In addition, a genetic counselor can review the potential risks of problems in the fetus due to this medication if an exposure during pregnancy has occurred.
Breast Feeding Warning: It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. For this reason, women are advised to discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of breast feeding during treatment with this drug because this drug may enter the breast milk and seriously harm a breast feeding infant.
Treating Side Effects
- Avoid cold temperatures and cold objects. Cover your skin if you must go outside in cold weather.
- Do not drink cold drinks or use ice cubes in drinks.
- Do not put ice or ice packs on your body.
- Ask your doctor or nurse about medicine to treat nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, constipation, headache, back pain, and/or abdominal pain
- Let your doctor or nurse know if you are having trouble sleeping.
- Mouth care is very important. Gently brush with a very soft tooth brush and rinse your mouth with a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water or 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in 8 ounces of water. Do this at least after every meal and at bed time.
- Avoid mouthwash with alcohol. Avoid alcohol and smoking because they can irritate your mouth and throat.
- Do not put anything on your rash unless your doctor or nurse says you may. Keep the area around the rash clean and dry. Ask your doctor for medication if your rash is bothersome.
Food and Drug Interactions
There are no known interactions of oxaliplatin with food. This drug may interact with other medicine. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines and dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs, and others) that you are currently taking. The safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements and alternative diets are often unknown. Using these might unexpectedly affect your cancer or interfere with your treatment. Until more is known, you should not use dietary supplements or alternative diets without your cancer doctor’s advice.
Allergic Reactions
Serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis are rare. While you are receiving this drug by IV, tell your nurse immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
- difficulty catching your breath
- feeling like your tongue or throat are swelling
- feeling your heart beat rapidly (palpitations)
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- flushing/itching/rash/hives
When to Call the Doctor
Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
- redness, pain, warmth, or swelling at the IV site
- trouble breathing or pain in your chest
- temperature of 100.5 F (38 C) or above
- chills
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- uncontrolled nausea that prevents you from eating or drinking
- vomiting more than 3 times in 1 day
- trouble swallowing or saying words
- severe headache
- severe abdominal pain
- leg pain, cramping, swelling, redness, or warmth
- diarrhea of more that 5 stools in one day while taking prescribed medication or diarrhea with weakness
- dizziness
Call your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms:
- If sensitiviity to cold such as throat tightness pain or tingling, burning, or numbness (pins and needles) in your hands or feet, or around your mouth continue for more than 14 days after you receive this drug.
- difficulty walking or changes in the way you walk
- clumsiness in buttoning clothes, opening jars, or other routine activities
- new dry cough
- nausea that prescribed medicine doesn’t help
- no bowel movement for 3 days or if you feel uncomfortable
- swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles
- headache that prescribed medicine doesn’t help
- extreme tiredness that interferes with normal activities
- painful mouth or throat, or discomfort when eating or drinking
- rash that is not relieved by prescribed medications
- extreme drowsiness that interferes with normal activities
- persistent loss of appetite or rapid weight loss of 5 pounds or more in 1 week
Revised March 2011