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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
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Carboplatin is a colourless fluid.
Carboplatin can be given as a drip (infusion) in one of the following ways:
The infusion takes about 60 minutes.
Chemotherapy is usually given as a course of several sessions (cycles) of treatment over a few months. The length of your treatment and the number of cycles you have will depend on the type of cancer you are being treated for.
Carboplatin is commonly given alongside other chemotherapy drugs as part of a combination regimen| . Your nurse or doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Each person’s reaction to chemotherapy is different. Some people have very few side effects, while others may experience more. The side effects described here won't affect everyone who is given carboplatin, and may be different if you are having more than one chemotherapy drug.
We have outlined the most common side effects and some of the less common ones, so that you can be aware of them if they occur. However, we haven't included those that are very rare and therefore extremely unlikely to affect you. If you notice any effects that are not listed in this information, please discuss them with your doctor or nurse.
Lowered resistance to infection Carboplatin can reduce the production of white blood cells by the bone marrow, making you more prone to infection| . This effect can begin seven days after treatment has been given, and your resistance to infection usually reaches its lowest point 10-14 days after chemotherapy. The number of your white blood cells will then increase steadily, and will usually return to normal levels before your next course of chemotherapy.
Contact your doctor or the hospital straight away if:
You will have a blood test before having more chemotherapy to make sure that your cells have recovered. Occasionally it may be necessary to delay your treatment if the number of blood cells (the blood count) is still low.
Bruising or bleeding Carboplatin can reduce the production of platelets, which help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. Let your doctor know if you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding, such as nosebleeds, blood spots or rashes on the skin, or bleeding gums.
Anaemia (low number of red blood cells) While having treatment with carboplatin you may become anaemic. This may make you feel tired| and breathless| . Let your doctor or nurse know if you develop these symptoms.
Feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting) This may begin after the treatment is given and last for up to a day. Your doctor can prescribe very effective anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drugs, to prevent or greatly reduce nausea and vomiting| . If the sickness isn't controlled, or if it continues, tell your doctor; they can prescribe other anti-sickness drugs which may be more effective. Some anti-sickness drugs can cause constipation. Let your doctor or nurse know if this is a problem.
Loss of appetite A dietitian or specialist nurse at your hospital can give advice about how to boost your appetite, cope with eating difficulties| and maintain your weight.
Tiredness and feeling weak You may feel very tired| . It's important to allow yourself plenty of time to rest.
Numbness or tingling in hands or feet This is known as peripheral neuropathy| , and is due to the effect of carboplatin on nerves. It is very rare if you receive usual doses of carboplatin, but may occur if you have high-dose treatment. You may also notice that you have difficulty doing up buttons, or doing other fiddly tasks. Tell your doctor if you notice any numbness or tingling in your hands or feet. This effect usually begins to improve slowly a few months after the treatment is finished.
Changes in hearing This is very rare if you have standard doses of the drug, but if you have high-dose treatment you may get ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and you may lose the ability to hear some high-pitched sounds. This side effect usually decreases when the treatment ends. Let your doctor know if you notice any loss of hearing or tinnitus.
Diarrhoea This can usually be controlled with medicine but tell your doctor if it is severe or if it continues. It is important to drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhoea| .
Sore mouth and ulcers Your mouth may become sore| , or you may notice small ulcers during this treatment. Drinking plenty of fluids, and cleaning your teeth regularly and gently with a soft toothbrush, can help to reduce the risk of this happening. Tell your nurse or doctor if you have any of these problems. They can prescribe special mouthwashes and medicines, to prevent or clear mouth infections.
Taste changes You may notice that your food tastes different. Normal taste will usually come back after the treatment finishes.
Your kidneys may be temporarily affected Usually this doesn't cause any symptoms, and the effect is generally mild. If the effect is severe, however, the kidneys can be permanently damaged, unless the treatment is stopped. For this reason your kidneys will be checked by a blood test before each treatment.
If necessary, you may be given medicine to help you pass urine. It is important to drink extra fluid if you are asked to do so. Let your doctor know if you find drinking difficult – for example, if you are feeling sick.
Hair loss This is extremely rare if you have normal doses of carboplatin, but may happen if you have high-dose treatment. Hair loss may begin about 3–4 weeks after starting treatment, although it can occur earlier. It is temporary, and your hair will start to grow again once treatment ends. Your nurse can give you advice about coping with hair loss| .
Risk of blood clots Cancer can increase your risk of developing a blood clot (thrombosis), and having chemotherapy may increase this risk further. A blood clot may cause symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling in a leg, or breathlessness and chest pain. Blood clots can be very serious, so it is important to tell your doctor straightaway if you have any of these symptoms. However, most clots can usually be successfully treated with drugs to thin the blood. Your doctor or nurse can give you more information.
Other medicines Some other medicines can be harmful to take when you are having chemotherapy (including those you can buy in a shop or a chemist). Let your doctor know about any medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, complementary therapies and herbal drugs.
Fertility Your ability to become pregnant or father a child may be affected by taking this drug. It's important to discuss fertility| with your doctor before starting treatment.
Contraception It's not advisable to become pregnant or father a child while taking carboplatin, as the developing foetus may be harmed. It is necessary to use effective contraception while taking this drug, and for at least a few months afterwards. Again, discuss this with your doctor.
This section is based on our Carboplatin factsheet which has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources, including:
For further references, please see general bibliography| .
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