Cisplatin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 13, 2024.

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

Important Warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (Powder for Solution)

Nephrotoxicity: cisplatin injection can cause severe renal toxicity, including acute renal failure.

Severe renal toxicities are dose-related and cumulative.

Consider dose reductions or alternative treatments in patients with renal impairment.Peripheral Neuropathy: cisplatin injection can cause dose-related peripheral neuropathy.Nausea and Vomiting: cisplatin injection can cause severe nausea and vomiting.

Premedicate with antiemetics.Myelosuppression: cisplatin injection can cause severe myelosuppression with fatalities due to infections.

Monitor blood counts and interrupt therapy accordingly.

Serious side effects of cisplatin

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

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cisplatin:

More common

• black, tarry stools
• blood in urine or stools
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• change in frequency of urination or amount of urine
• cough or hoarseness
• difficulty in breathing
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• feeling of fullness in the ears
• fever or chills
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• loss of balance
• loss of hearing
• lower back or side pain
• nausea or vomiting
• painful or difficult urination
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• ringing or buzzing in the ears
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• trouble in hearing
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Incidence not known

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• bleeding gums
• blindness
• blue-yellow color blindness
• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• decreased vision
• eye pain
• fast heartbeat
• general body swelling
• headache
• leg pain
• nosebleeds
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• pale skin
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight loss
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of cisplatin

Some side effects of cisplatin 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:

Incidence not known

• bloating
• constipation
• diarrhea
• hair loss or thinning
• indigestion
• loss of appetite
• muscle cramps
• rash
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to cisplatin: compounding powder, intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Renal toxicity (36%)
• Frequency not reported: Renal failure acute, renal tubular disorder^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Stomatitis
• Frequency not reported: Anorexia, hiccups^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Convulsion, neuropathy peripheral, leukoencephalopathy, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome
• Frequency not reported: Cerebrovascular accident, hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke ageusia, cerebral arteritis, Lhermitte's sign, myelopathy, autonomic neuropathy^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia
• Frequency not reported: Coombs positive hemolytic anemia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Vision blurred, color blindness acquired, blindness cortical, optic neuritis, papilledema, retinal pigmentation^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylactoid reaction^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatic enzymes increased, blood bilirubin increased^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Local soft tissue toxicity (e.g., cellulitis, fibrosis, necrosis, pain, edema, erythema) as the result of extravasation^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrest
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac disorder, arrhythmia, bradycardia, tachycardia, thrombotic microangiopathy (hemolytic uremic syndrome), Raynaud's phenomenon^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal spermatogenesis
• Frequency not reported: Blood amylase increased, inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Rash, alopecia^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia, hyponatremia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypomagnesemia
• Frequency not reported: Dehydration, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperuricemia, hypocalcemia, tetany^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis
• Frequency not reported: Infection^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Muscle spasms^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute leukemia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Pulmonary embolism, wheezing^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Tinnitus and/or high frequency hearing loss (31%), pyrexia
• Frequency not reported: Tinnitus, deafness^[Ref]

Further information

Cisplatin 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.

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

Medical Disclaimer