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Carboplatin is a chemotherapy drug that is given as a treatment for some types of cancer. It's most commonly used for ovarian cancer| and lung cancer, but may be used in the treatment of many other types of cancer. This information describes carboplatin, how it is given and some of its possible side effects. It should ideally be read with our general information about chemotherapy| and about your type of cancer|, which give more information and advice.
If you have any further questions you can ask your doctor or nurse at the hospital where you are having your treatment, or speak to one of our cancer support specialists|.
Carboplatin is a colourless fluid.
Carboplatin can be given as a drip (infusion):
The infusion takes about 60 minutes.
Chemotherapy is usually given as a course of several sessions (or 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 for which you are being treated. 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 which you think may be due to the drug, but which aren't listed in this information, please discuss them with your doctor, chemotherapy nurse or pharmacist.
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. Your blood cells will then increase steadily, and will usually have returned 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). 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) If you do feel sick, 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 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 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 Again, 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, as they can prescribe special mouthwashes and medicines, to prevent or clear infection.
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 does not cause any symptoms, and the effect is generally mild. But, if the effect is severe 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 to pass urine. If you are asked to drink extra fluid it is important to do this, or to let your doctor know if you find this difficult, for example, because 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. If you do lose your hair, it usually begins about 3–4 weeks after starting treatment, although it may occur earlier. Hair loss| is temporary, and your hair will start to regrow once the treatment ends.
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 (including those you can buy in a shop or chemist) can be harmful to take when you are having chemotherapy. Let your doctor know about any medications you are taking, including non-prescribed drugs such as 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 is 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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