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
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- 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.
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However some side effects can be serious which require
immediate medical attention. These are:
- Stumbling or loss of balance when walking
- Difficulty doing normal, simple work like writing or
fastening buttons
- Difficulty in speaking
- Tightening of the jaw
- Strange feeling in the tongue
- Chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Pain, redness, or swelling in the place where the medicine
was injected Pain when urinating
- Unusual bleeding or blood in urine
- Nosebleed
- Vomit that is bloody
- Red blood in stool
- Vision problem
Disclaimer: The above information is for general
understanding of the visitor. Please consult a registered medical
practitioner before taking the aforesaid medicine.
