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Cisplatin

Medical Alert

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Warning

Cisplatin may cause severe kidney problems, nerve problems, and severe nausea and vomiting. Nerve problems may occur during treatment or weeks after stopping treatment. Your risk of these problems increases with higher doses or longer treatment with cisplatin. Tell your doctor right way if you develop any of the following symptoms: change in the amount of urine, numbness/tingling of arms/legs, loss of reflexes, loss of balance, trouble walking, nausea, or vomiting.

This medication decreases bone marrow function, an effect that may lead to a low number of blood cells such as red cells, white cells, and platelets. This effect can cause anemia, decrease your body's ability to fight an infection, or cause easy bruising/bleeding. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: unusual tiredness, pale skin, easy bruising/bleeding, or signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills).

Precautions

Before using cisplatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to carboplatin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, decreased bone marrow function/blood cell disorders (such as anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), hearing problems, mineral imbalance (low blood levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphate), numbness/tingling of arms/legs, kidney stones, gout.

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine.

Use caution with sharp objects like safety razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the chance of getting cut, bruised or injured.

Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially kidney problems, nerve problems (numbness/tingling of arms/legs), and decreased bone marrow function.

Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially hearing loss.

This medication can affect fertility in both males and females. Ask your doctor for more details.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using cisplatin. Cisplatin may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy test before you start this medication. Women using this medication should ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for some time after the last dose. Men using this medication should ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for some time after the last dose. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Loss of taste, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe. Your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: pain/burning/redness at the injection site, muscle cramps/spasms/weakness, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, joint pain, mental/mood changes (such as confusion), headache, blood in urine, painful/difficult urination, lower back/side pain.

Vision changes (such as blurred vision, vision loss, seeing colors differently) may occur with cisplatin use. Normal vision usually returns after the end of treatment. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and report this side effect right away if it occurs.

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain, pain/redness/swelling of arms or legs, seizures.

Rarely, this medication may increase the risk of getting other cancers (such as leukemia). Consult your doctor for more details.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.