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Eloxatin Side Effects

Generic name: oxaliplatin

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 24, 2022.

Note: This document contains side effect information about oxaliplatin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Eloxatin.

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

Warning

Intravenous route (Solution; Powder for Solution)

Hypersensitivity Reactions, including AnaphylaxisSerious and fatal hypersensitivity adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur with oxaliplatin within minutes of administration and during any cycle. Oxaliplatin is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity reactions to oxaliplatin and other platinum-based drugs. Immediately and permanently discontinue oxaliplatin for hypersensitivity reactions and administer appropriate treatment.

Serious side effects of Eloxatin

Along with its needed effects, oxaliplatin (the active ingredient contained in Eloxatin) 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking oxaliplatin:

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking oxaliplatin:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Eloxatin

Some side effects of oxaliplatin 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

Less common

For Healthcare Professionals

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

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Peripheral sensory neuropathy/paresthesia (92%), pharyngo-laryngeal dysesthesia (38.2%), headache (17%), taste perversion (14%), dizziness (13%), neurosensory reactions (12%), dysgeusia, rigors/tremors

Common (1% to 10%): Sensory disturbance, neuralgia, neuro NOS (not otherwise specified), vertigo, syncope, ataxia, somnolence, intracerebral bleeding, abnormal tongue sensation

Rare (less than 0.1%): Dysarthria/aphasia, RPLS/PRES

Frequency not reported: Vocal cord paralysis, aphonia/dysphonia/hoarseness, trigeminal neuralgia/facial pain, myoclonus, abnormal coordination/abnormal gait, ataxia/balance disorders

Postmarketing reports: Loss of deep tendon reflexes, Lhermitte's sign, cranial nerve palsies, fasciculations, convulsion[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Anemia (85.2%), leukopenia (85%), neutropenia (82.2%), granulocytopenia (78.9%), thrombocytopenia (77.4%), fever without neutropenia (33%), infection - normal ANC (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Leukopenia, infection - low ANC, lymphopenia, febrile neutropenia, immune-allergic thrombocytopenia prolongation of prothrombin time and INR, neutropenic sepsis

Rare (less than 0.1%): Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Postmarketing reports: Hemolytic uremic syndrome[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (74%), diarrhea (67%), vomiting (54.1%), stomatitis/mucositis (44%), abdominal pain (33%), constipation (32%), anorexia (29%), dyspepsia (14%), diarrhea - colostomy (13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Gastrointestinal NOS (not otherwise specified), flatulence, dry mouth, rectal bleeding, rectal pain, rectal hemorrhage, gastrointestinal reflux, ascites, hemorrhoids, melena, proctitis, intestinal obstruction, gingivitis, tenesmus, enlarged abdomen, vaginal hemorrhage

Frequency not reported: Gastrointestinal bleeding

Postmarketing reports: Colitis, Clostridium difficile diarrhea, ileus, pancreatitis[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (70.3%), infection (31.6%), fever (29%), asthenia (23.4%), edema (15%), pain (15%), peripheral edema (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Death, catheter infection, chest pain, unknown infection, feeling of chest pressure

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ototoxicity

Postmarketing reports: Deafness, septic shock[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (67%), skin disorder (35.5%), sweating (12%), hand-foot syndrome (11%), rash (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, dry skin, nail changes, pigmentation changes, urticaria, erythematous rash, purpura[Ref]

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Increased transaminases (57%), abnormal alkaline phosphatase (56.5%), abnormal AST (54%), abnormal ALT (36%), bilirubinemia (20%)

Postmarketing reports: Liver veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, perisinusoidal fibrosis[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Cough (35%), dyspnea (20%), epistaxis (16%), rhinitis (15%), allergic rhinitis (10%), upper respiratory tract infection (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hiccups, pneumonitis, other pulmonary reaction, hypoxia, pharyngitis, hemoptysis, pneumonia, bronchospasm

Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis

Frequency not reported: Throat tightness/pressure/discomfort/pain

Postmarketing reports: Laryngospasm, other interstitial lung diseases[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (35%), hyperglycemia (14%), hypokalemia (11%), decreased weight (11%), increased weight (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration, hypoalbuminemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, elevated creatinine, other metabolic reactions

Postmarketing reports: Metabolic acidosis[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Back pain (19%), myalgia (14%), arthralgia (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Bone pain, muscle weakness, involuntary muscle contractions, jaw spasm/muscle spasm/muscle contractions

Frequency not reported: Muscle twitching

Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Depression, anxiety, nervousness[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Very common (10% or more): Hypersensitivity reaction (12%), allergic reaction (10.3%)

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, anaphylactic shock[Ref]

Local

Very common (10% or more): Injection site reaction (11.1%)

Frequency not reported: Extravasation[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Flushing (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Thrombosis/phlebitis, thromboembolism, hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, hot flashes

Postmarketing reports: QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias, Torsade de Pointes[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal micturition frequency, dysuria, hematuria, urinary incontinence[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis, abnormal lacrimation, abnormal vision, tearing

Rare (less than 0.1%): Optic neuritis

Frequency not reported: Ptosis, diplopia, eye pain

Postmarketing reports: Decreased visual acuity, visual field disturbance/disorders, transient/reversible vision loss[Ref]

Oncologic

Common (1% to 10%): Secondary malignancies[Ref]

Renal

Common (1% to 10%): Altered renal function

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Renal tubular necrosis

Postmarketing reports: Acute interstitial nephritis, acute renal failure[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

References

1. Product Information. Eloxatin (oxaliplatin). Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals. 2002.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

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.