Why is this medication prescribed?

Carboplatin is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat cancer of the ovaries (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed) that has spread to other parts of the body, not improved, or that has worsened after treatment with other medications or radiation therapy. Carboplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.

How should this medicine be used?

Carboplatin injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected over at least 15 minutes intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. It is usually given once every 4 weeks.

Other uses for this medicine

Carboplatin is also sometimes used to treat lung, bladder, breast, and endometrial cancer; head and neck cancer; cancer of the cervix and testicles: Wilms' tumor (a type of kidney cancer that occurs in children); certain types of brain tumors; neuroblastoma (a cancer that begins in nerve cells and occurs mainly in children); and retinoblastoma (cancer in the eye). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving carboplatin injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to carboplatin, cisplatin (Platinol), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in carboplatin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while receiving carboplatin injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease or if you have bleeding problems.

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You should not become pregnant or breast-feed while you are receiving carboplatin. If you become pregnant while receiving carboplatin, call your doctor. Carboplatin may harm the fetus.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Carboplatin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea

• vomiting

• diarrhea

• constipation

• sores in the mouth and throat

• pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet

• pain, itching, redness, swelling, blisters, or sores in the place where the medication was injected

• hair loss

• pain

• weakness

• loss in ability to taste food

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• pale skin

• unusual tiredness or weakness

• fainting

• dizziness

• sudden changes in vision, including color vision

• decreased urination

• swelling of the face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

• shortness of breath with everyday activity or when lying flat

• ringing in ears and difficulty hearing

Carboplatin may increase the risk that you will develop other cancers. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.

Carboplatin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• black, tarry, or bloody stools

• bloody vomit or vomited material that looks like coffee grounds

• unusual bruising or bleeding

• decreased urination

• pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet

• ringing in ears and difficulty hearing

What other information should I know?

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

• Paraplatin®

Other names

• CBDCA

• KEMOCARB