Oxaliplatin

Vocabulary

Oxaliplatin [ox al i pla tin] or American Pronunciation = [ox al i pla in]

antineoplastic [an-tee-nee-oh-plas-tik, an-tahy-]

cytotoxic [sahy-tuh-tok-sin] 

chemotherapy [kee-moh-ther-uh-pee, kem-oh-] 

alkylating [al-kuh-leyt]

colon cancer [koh-luh n] [kan-ser] 

rectal cancer [rek-tl] [kan-ser] 

metastasized [muh-tas-tuh-sahyz d] 

fluorouracil [flohr-uh-yoo r-uh-sil] 

leucovorin (lōō-kŏv-ər-ĭn) 

physicians [fi-zish-uh nz] 

infusion [in-fyoo-zhuh n] 

intravenous [in-truh-vee-nuh s] 

IV [ahy] [vee] 

dosage [doh-sij] 

jaw spasm [spaz-uh m] 

Trade Name: Eloxatin TM

Drug Type:

Oxaliplatin is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug.  Oxaliplatin is classified as an "alkylating agent."  For more detail, see "How Oxaliplatin Works" section below.

What Oxaliplatin Is Used For:

• Oxaliplatin is used to treat colon or rectal cancer that has spread (metastasized), it is often given in combination with other anticancer drugs (fluorouracil and leucovorin).

Note:  If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians sometimes elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it might be helpful.

How Oxaliplatin Is Given:

• It is given by infusion into the vein (intravenous, IV).
• There is no pill form of Oxaliplatin.
• The amount of Oxaliplatin you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer you have.  Your doctor will determine your dosage and schedule.

Oxaliplatin Side Effects:

Important things to remember about Oxaliplatin side effects:

• Most people do not experience all of the Oxaliplatin side effects listed.
• Oxaliplatin side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
• Oxaliplatin side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
• There are many options to help minimize or prevent Oxaliplatin side effects.  
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of Oxaliplatin side effects and the effectiveness of Oxaliplatin.

Oxaliplatin Infusion Related Side Effects:

• The feeling of difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, jaw spasm, abnormal tongue sensation and feeling of chest pressure.  This has been reported rarely (<5%).  It generally starts within hours of Oxaliplatin infusion and often occurs upon exposure to cold.  Avoiding exposure to cold (see self care tips below) helps to prevent this adverse reaction.  Future Oxaliplatin infusions may be given over a longer time frame to help reduce the incidence.  

The following Oxaliplatin side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Oxaliplatin:

• Peripheral [puh-rif-er-uh l]  neuropathy [noo-rop-uh-thee]  - Numbness and tingling and cramping of the hands or feet often triggered by cold.  This symptom will generally lessen or go away between treatments, however as the number of treatments increase the numbness and tingling will take longer to lessen or go away. Your health care professional will monitor this symptom with you and adjust your dose accordingly.
• Nausea [naw-zee-uh] and vomiting
• Diarrhea [dahy-uh-ree-uh] 
• Mouth sores
• Low blood counts - Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Fatigue [fuh-teeg] 
• Loss of appetite [ap-i-tahyt] 

The following are less common Oxaliplatin side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving Oxaliplatin:

• Constipation [kon-stuh-pey-shuh n] 
• Fever
• Generalized pain
• Headache [hed-eyk] 
• Cough
• Temporary increases in blood tests measuring liver function. (see liver problems).
• Allergic reaction: a rare side effect, however, call for help immediately if you suddenly have difficulty breathing, your throat feels like it is closing, or chest pain.  Other signs of allergic reaction include rash, hives, sudden cough, or swelling of the lips or tongue.

This list includes common and less common side effects for individuals taking Oxaliplatin. Side effects that are very rare, occurring in less than 10% of patients, are not listed here.  However, you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.