Oxaliplatin

What is Oxaliplatin for?

Oxaliplatin may be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat biliary cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer and certain lymphomas.
It disrupts the normal structure and function of DNA in cancer cells, which are important processes for cell growth and survival. As a result, the affected cells die.
 

How should I take or use Oxaliplatin?

Oxaliplatin is given as an injection into your vein (intravenous) over two to six hours depending the dose required

What precautions should I take when taking or using Oxaliplatin?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant or if your partner could become pregnant
  • You should use effective birth control during treatment and for 4 months for women and 6 months for men after your last treatment
  • Oxaliplatin may reduce fertility, and this may be permanent for some patients. You should discuss with your doctor to preserve this, prior to starting treatment.
• You are breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies. 

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use Oxaliplatin?

Avoid taking Traditional Chinese Medicines, Jamu or supplements without consulting your physician as it may potentially interact with your medicine.

What are some common side effects of Oxaliplatin?

Early Side Effects (within hours to days of receiving Oxaliplatin)

• Tingling sensations experienced as “pins and needles” in the fingers or feet (Peripheral Neuropathy). Avoid walking barefoot, and be careful when walking on uneven surfaces
• A tight Throat which can cause difficulties swallowing and breathing. This may be triggered or worsened by cold temperatures.
  • Keep warm by covering yourself with a blanket, wearing a sweater or taking warm/hot beverages for 7 days after treatment.
• Nausea and vomiting
  • Take small, frequent meals and avoid foods with smells that may cause nausea
  • Take medications for nausea or vomiting if prescribed
  • Avoid tight fitting clothes
• Diarrhoea
  • Stay hydrated
  • Avoid oily or spicy food and milk or dairy products
• Decrease in appetite
• Fatigue

Delayed Side Effects (within days to weeks after receiving Oxaliplatin)

• Increased risk of infections
  • Practice good personal hygiene
  • Avoid eating raw uncooked/half-cooked food
  • Avoid crowds and people who are sick as much as possible
• Increased risk of bleeding and/or bruising
  • Avoid picking your nose
  • Use a soft toothbrush and brush gently
  • Minor cuts or bleeds may take a longer time to stop than before
• Numbness, tingling or burning sensations may be experienced in the hands or feet
• Hair loss (rare)
   

What are some rare but serious side effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

• Allergic reactions. Please alert your healthcare professional if you experience this during your treatment.
• The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
• Stinging pain, redness or swelling around the vein due to drug leakage around the infusion site. Please alert your nurse immediately if you experience this during your treatment. They may give the drug more slowly or flush it through with more fluids to reduce pain.
• Signs of infection such as fever with a temperature of 38 degree celsius and above, chills, very bad sore throat, cough, pain with passing urine, mouth sores or wounds that will not heal
• Signs of bleeding such as coughing up blood or coffee-ground vomitus, passing a large amount of fresh blood in urine or stools, tea-coloured urine, black sticky stools, unexplained bruises or bleeding you cannot stop
• Signs of lung or breathing problem such as shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
• Numbness and tingling sensation in the limbs which persists after several days after receiving Oxaliplatin or when it becomes difficult to perform daily tasks such as buttoning shirts and picking up objects
• Fast or irregular heart rate, or if you are feeling faint or dizzy

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.