Carboplatin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jun 10, 2024.

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

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

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 side effects

• pain at place of injection

Less common side effects

• 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 side effects

• 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 side effects

• nausea and vomiting
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• constipation or diarrhea
• loss of appetite

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 adverse events

• 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

• Why give Taxol (Paxel) before carboplatin?
• How does carboplatin stop cancer?
• Does carboplatin cause neuropathy?

Further information

Carboplatin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer