Carboplatin
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Carboplatin Injection.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using Carboplatin Injection against the benefits it is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet .
You may need to read it again.
What Carboplatin Injection is used for
Carboplatin belongs to a group of anticancer medicines known as platinum complexes. Carboplatin works by preventing the growth of cancer cells and eventually destroying them. It is used for cancer of the ovary.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you are given Carboplatin Injection
When you must not be given it
Do not use Carboplatin Injection if:
you have an allergy to carboplatin, cisplatin or other medicines containing platinum
you have kidney disease or poor kidney function
you have a low blood count
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
It may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.
Do not breast feed if you are using this medicine.
If you are not sure you should be given Carboplatin, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
any sort of infection e.g. sinusitis, tooth abscess, etc
abnormal or heavy bleeding
bleeding gums
unusual tiredness
poor kidney function
problems with hearing.
Tell your doctor if you are going to be vaccinated (have an injection to prevent a certain disease).
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you are given Carboplatin.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Carboplatin may interfere with each other. These include:
other anticancer drugs
drugs that affect the kidneys such as some antibiotics
some vaccinations (injections to prevent you getting a certain disease).
You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
How Carboplatin is given
Carboplatin is given by slow injection into a vein. It must only be given by a doctor or a nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose, how often and how long you will receive it.
This depends on your condition and other factors, such as your weight, age, blood tests, how well your kidneys are working and whether or not other medicines are being given at the same time.
If you are given too much (overdose)
Overdose is unlikely as treatment is given in hospital under the supervision of a doctor.
However, if you are given too much Carboplatin, you may experience some of the effects listed under "Side Effects" below.
Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose.
While you are being treated with Carboplatin
Things you must do
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
You will also have blood tests to check for side effects.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are using this medicine.
If you become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
Side effects
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Carboplatin Injection.
Like other medicines, Carboplatin can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor or temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
fever and chills, sore throat, sweats or feel generally unwell
wheezing or shortness of breath during administration
pain and redness at site of injection
bleeding, unusual bruising, bleeding gums, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots
rash, fever or itching
hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
tingling or a loss of sensation in the fingers or toes
blurred vision
mouth ulcers
nausea, vomiting
hair loss, especially of the scalp
diarrhoea, constipation
a feeling of tiredness
joint pain, muscle pain
chest pain, stroke
decrease in urine
These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
Some side effects may only be seen by your doctor.
Product description
What it looks like
Carboplatin Injection is a clear, colourless solution in a plastic vial.
It comes in three sizes: 50 mg of carboplatin in 5 mL, 150 mg in 15 mL and 450 mg in 45 mL.
Ingredients
Carboplatin Injection contains carboplatin as the active ingredient.
It also contains Water for Injections. It does not contain a preservative.
