Cisplatin

What cisplatin looks like Back to top

Cisplatin is a colourless fluid.

How it is given Back to top

Cisplatin is given as a drip (infusion) in one of the following ways:

• through a fine tube (cannula) placed into the vein, usually in the back of the hand
• through a fine plastic tube inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone (central line )
• into a fine tube inserted into a vein in the crook of your arm (PICC line ).

The infusion can take up to eight hours.  

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. Cisplatin is sometimes given alongside other chemotherapy drugs as part of a combination regimen. Your nurse or doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

Possible side effects Back to top

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 cisplatin, 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.

Feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting) This may begin a few hours after the treatment is given and last for up to a few days. 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.

Your kidneys may be 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.

You will be given fluid into a vein before and after the treatment to keep your kidneys working normally. You may be asked to measure and record what you drink and the amount of urine you pass. It is important to tell your nurse or doctor if you pass less urine than usual.

If necessary, you may be given medicine to help you to pass urine. You may be asked to drink extra fluid before and after treatment, and it's important to do this. Let your doctor know if drinking is a problem – for example, if you are feeling sick.

Numbness or tingling in hands or feet This is due to the effect of cisplatin on nerves and is known as peripheral neuropathy| . You may notice that you have difficulty doing up buttons or similar fiddly tasks. Tell your doctor if you notice any numbness or tingling in your hands or feet. The side effect usually disappears slowly a few months after the treatment ends.

Changes in hearing  You may have ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and you may lose the ability to hear some high-pitched sounds. Hearing loss can be more severe with higher doses and longer courses of treatment. Very occasionally your sense of balance may be affected. Any hearing loss (and balance changes if they occur) are likely to be permanent. However tinnitus usually improves when treatment ends. Tell your doctor if you notice any loss of hearing or tinnitus.

Taste changes A dietitian or specialist nurse at your hospital can give advice about ways of coping with this side effect.

Less common side effects Back to top

Lowered resistance to infection Cisplatin 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 then increases steadily, and usually returns to normal levels within 21–28 days.

Contact your doctor or the hospital straight away if:

• your temperature goes above 38ºC (100.4ºF)
• you suddenly feel unwell (even with a normal temperature).

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 Cisplatin 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 cisplatin you may become anaemic. This may make you feel tired and breathless. Let your doctor or nurse know if you develop these symptoms.

Loss of appetite The dietitian or specialist nurse can give you tips on boosting your appetite| , coping with eating difficulties| and maintaining weight.

Diarrhoea This can usually be easily controlled with medicine, but let your doctor know if it is severe or if it continues. It is important to drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhoea| .

Allergic reaction Signs of an allergic reaction include skin rashes and itching, a high temperature, shivering, redness or darkening of the face, dizziness, headaches, breathlessness, anxiety, and a need to pass urine. You will be monitored for any signs of an allergic reaction during the treatment.

Additional information Back to top

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 straight away if you have any of these symptoms. However, most clots can be 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 a chemist, can be harmful to take when you are having chemotherapy. 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 your fertility| with your doctor before starting your treatment.

Contraception It is not advisable to become pregnant or father a child while taking cisplatin, 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.

References Back to top

This section is based upon our Cisplatin fact sheet, which has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources, including:

• Sweetman et al. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. 36th edition. 2009. Pharmaceutical Press.
• The Medicines.org.uk website – www.medicines.org.uk (accessed October 2009).
• British National Formulary. 58th edition. 2009. British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
• Ed. Perry. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins The Chemotherapy Source Book. 4th edition. 2007.

For further references, please see general bibliography| .