Carboplatin and Paclitaxel: Indications and Side Effects

What is Carboplatin?

Carboplatin is an FDA-approved chemotherapy drug used to treat advanced ovarian cancer. It stops or slows the growth of cancer cells and other fast-growing cells by destroying their DNA. It is usually given as an injection and may be taken alone or together with other chemotherapy as first-line treatment. For example, Carboplatin and Paclitaxel.

Indications of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel

The combination of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel usually works better than a single drug. It is approved for treatment:

• Cancer of unknown primary origin

• Cancer of the cervix

• Endometrial cancer

• Non-small cell lung cancer

• Ovarian cancer.

• Advanced and untreated thymoma or thymic carcinoma

This combination may also be used along with other medicines or treatments, or to treat other types of cancer.

Side Effects

Common side effects of the combination of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel include:

• Increased risk of infection

• Bruising and bleeding

• Anaemia (low red blood cell count)

• Feeling unwell (nausea, vomiting)

• Hair loss

• Stomach pain

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Sore mouth and throat

• Changes in taste

• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness or tingling in hands or feet)

• Muscle or joint pain

• Feeling tired

• Blood in the urine or low urine output

• Pneumonia

• Blood pressure changes (low or high blood pressure)

• Hearing changes (tinnitus, decreased hearing)

• Skin changes (itchy skin, rash)

• Nail changes (ridges or white or dark lines on the nails, breaking easily, loosening or falling off)

Occasional side effects:

• Changes in vision

• Effects on the heart (chest pain, difficulty breathing, changes in heartbeat)

• Serious brain disorders

• Drowsiness or confusion

• Seizures

• Increased risk of blood clots

• Second cancer

Please contact your doctor immediately if any of these serious adverse reactions occur.