Drugs >  Cisplatin
Cisplatin
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(SIS pla tin)

Brand Names
Platinol®; Platinol®-AQ

Therapeutic Categories
Antineoplastic Agent, Alkylating Agent

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

This medicine is very strong. It can cause kidney disease and change the elements in your blood. It can prevent your bone marrow from making some of the cells that your body needs. You will need weekly blood work to watch for side effects. Tell healthcare provider right away about change in hearing, ringing in your ears, any fever, sore throat, signs of infection, bleeding, shortness of breath, or feeling tired.


Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to cisplatin or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.

  • What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat a variety of cancers.

  • How does it work?
  • Cisplatin injures cancer cells causing their death.

  • How is it best taken?
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
  • This medicine is given into the abdominal cavity in certain situations.

  • What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • Call healthcare provider for appointment.

  • What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • Be careful about taking vaccinations while you are receiving this medicine.
  • If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
  • You will bleed easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
  • If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust.

  • What are the common side effects of this medicine?
  • Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Feeling tired or weak.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Skin irritation.
  • Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
  • Infertility.

  • What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.

  • Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Persistent cough.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Severe skin irritation.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Not hungry.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

  • How should I store this medicine?
  • This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

  • General statements
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

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