Pharmaceutical Drug Manufacturers

Generic name: Oxaliplatin - injection
Brand name(s): Eloxatin
Description
Oxaliplatin is a chemotherapy drug , which acts as a platinum agent, used to help fight cancer. It belongs to a class of medications called platinum-containing antineoplastic agents, which works by killing cancer cells. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Oxaliplatin is combined with the chemotherapy regimen of infusional 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin for treatment of various types of cancer.

Uses

• Oxaliplatin is a chemotherapy drug that is given along with 2 other chemotherapy drugs (5-Fluorouracil and leucovorin ) to treat colorectal cancer.
• Oxaliplatin is given to patients with stage III colon cancer. This is given after surgery to remove the tumor.
• It is also given to patients with cancer of the colon or rectum.

How to use?
The injection is infused into a vein for over at least 2 hours. This is given as one dose every 2 weeks, along with other drugs. The dose and frequency depends on the patient's blood count and response to previous doses. Mixing and dilution with correct IV fluids should be done perfectly. If more than one drug is to be infused through the same IV line, the IV line should be flushed. This should be done before and after use with a dextrose solution.

Safety tips

• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to some medicines, about the regular medicines, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are taking before taking oxaliplatin.
• If you experience pain, burning or redness at the place where injected, tell your doctor immediately.
• If this medication contacts your skin, immediately wash skin with soap and water.
• If this medicine contacts your nose, eyes or mouth, completely clean the area with water.
• Your doctor should know if you have kidney disease, if you are pregnant or if you are breast feeding.
• Oxaliplatin may decrease your capacity to fight infection. As such it is better to keep away from people who are sick during your treatment .
• Exposure to cold air or cold objects may worsen some of the side effects of oxaliplatin . So it is better to avoid eating or drinking anything colder than room temperature or touch any cold objects or go outside in cold weather.

Side effects
Oxaliplatin may cause side effects. Some side effects which are common are as follows:

Numbness Pain in the hands or feet Increased sensitivity Decreased sense of touch Nausea Vomiting Constipation Diarrhea Gas

• Stomach pain
• Mouth ulcers
• Appetite loss
• Change in taste
• Weight gain or loss
• Tiredness
• Hair loss
• Dry skin Redness or peeling of the skin etc.