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Carboplatin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jun 8, 2023.

Applies to carboplatin: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution.

Warning

Intravenous route (Solution; Powder for Solution)

Bone marrow suppression with carboplatin is dose-related and may be severe, resulting in infection and/or bleeding. Anemia may be cumulative and may require transfusion support. Vomiting is another frequent drug-related side effect. Anaphylactic-like reactions to carboplatin have been reported and may occur within minutes of carboplatin administration.

Serious side effects of Carboplatin

Along with its needed effects, carboplatin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking carboplatin:

More common

  • Pain at place of injection

Less common

  • Black, tarry stools
  • blood in urine or stools
  • cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills
  • fever or chills
  • lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills
  • numbness or tingling in fingers or toes
  • painful or difficult urination, accompanied by fever or chills
  • pinpoint red spots on skin
  • skin rash or itching
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

  • Blurred vision
  • ringing in ears
  • sores in mouth and on lips
  • wheezing

Other side effects of Carboplatin

Some side effects of carboplatin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

This medicine may cause a temporary loss of hair in some people. After treatment with carboplatin has ended, normal hair growth should return.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to carboplatin: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Leukopenia (98%), neutropenia (97%), anemia (91%), thrombocytopenia (70%), bleeding (10%)

Rare (less than 0.1%): Febrile neutropenia

Frequency not reported: Bone marrow failure, hemolytic-uremic syndrome[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (93%), vomiting (84%), adverse GI effects (50%), abdominal pain

Common (1% to 10%): Mucositis, diarrhea, constipation

Frequency not reported: Stomatitis, pancreatitis[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Central neurotoxicity (26%), peripheral neuropathy (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Other sensory side effects, paresthesia, decrease of osteotendinous reflexes, sensory disturbance, dysgeusia

Frequency not reported: Cerebrovascular accident, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)[Ref]

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Alkaline phosphatase elevations (29%), SGOT elevations (20%), aspartate aminotransferase increased, liver function test abnormal

Common (1% to 10%): Bilirubin elevations[Ref]

Renal

Very common (10% or more): Blood urea elevations (17%), creatinine renal clearance decreased[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Pain (44%), asthenia (41%), ototoxicity (12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia

Frequency not reported: Malaise[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity, anaphylactoid type reaction[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Magnesium loss (61%), potassium loss (16%), calcium loss (16%), sodium loss (10%)

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyponatremia

Frequency not reported: Dehydration, anorexia, tumor lysis syndrome[Ref]

Ocular

Rare (less than 0.1%): Visual disturbance (including rare cases of loss of vision)[Ref]

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Infection (14%)

Local

Frequency not reported: Injection site necrosis, injection site reaction, injection site extravasation, injection site erythema

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal disorder[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urogenital disorder[Ref]

Oncologic

Frequency not reported: Neoplasms (e.g., benign, malignant, unspecified) including cysts and polyps[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory disorder, interstitial lung disease, bronchospasm

Frequency not reported: Pneumonia[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Cardiovascular disorder

Frequency not reported: Cardiac failure, embolism, hypertension, hypotension[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (49%), skin disorder

Frequency not reported: Urticaria, rash, erythema, pruritus[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

References

1. Kerr DJ, Lewis C, O'Neill B, et al. The myelotoxicity of carboplatin is influenced by the time of its administration. Hematol Oncol. 1990;8:59-63.

2. Multum Information Services, Inc. Expert Review Panel

3. Product Information. Paraplatin (carboplatin). Bristol-Myers Squibb. 2001.

4. Product Information. Carboplatin (carboplatin). Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. 2019.

5. McDonald BR, Kirmani S, Vasquez M, Mehta R. Acute renal failure associated with the use of intraperitoneal carboplatin: a report of two cases and review of the literature. Am J Med. 1991;90:386-91.

6. Deray G, Ben-Othman T, Brillet G, Baumelou B, Gabarre J, Baumelou A, Binet JL, Jacobs C. Carboplatin-induced acute renal failure. Am J Nephrol. 1990;10:431-2.

7. Mulder PO, Sleijfer DT, de Vries EG, Uges DR, Mulder NH. Renal dysfunction following high-dose carboplatin treatment. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 1988;114:212-4.

8. Chevreau C, Thomas F, Couteau C, Dalenc F, Mourey L, Chatelut E. Ototoxicity of high-dose Carboplatin. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:3649-50.

9. Windom HH, McGuire WP, Hamilton RG, Adkinson NF. Anaphylaxis to carboplatin: a new platinum chemotherapeutic agent. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1992;Oct:681-3.

10. Weidmann B, Mulleneisen N, Bojko P, Niederle N. Hypersensitivity reactions to carboplatin. Report of two patients, review of the literature, and discussion of diagnostic procedures and management. Cancer. 1994;73:2218-22.

11. Planner RS, Weerasiri T, Timmins D, Grant P. Hypersensitivity reactions to carboplatin. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1991;83:1763-4.

12. Tonkin KS, Rubin P, Levin L. Carboplatin hypersensitivity: case reports and review of the literature. Eur J Cancer. 1993;29a:1356-7.

13. Sood AK, Gelder MS, Huang SW, Morgan LS. Anaphylaxis to carboplatin following multiple previous uncomplicated courses. Gynecol Oncol. 1995;57:131-2.

14. Broome CB, Schiff RI, Friedman HS. Successful desentization to carboplatin in patients with systemic hypersensitivity reactions. Med Pediatr Oncol. 1996;26:105-10.

15. O'Brien MER, Tonge K, Blake P, et al. Blindness associated with high-dose carboplatin. Lancet. 1991;339:558.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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