This page contains brief details about the drug , it's indication, dosage & administaration, mechanism of action, related brands with strength, warnings and common side effects.

Background and Date of Approval

The U.S. FDA approved Cisplatin as an anticancer medication to treat a certain type of cancer on 19th December 1978. 

Mechanism of Action of undefined

Cisplatin belongs to the medication class known as an alkylating agent. It is an anti-cancer medicine that contains the active ingredient Cisplatin. Cisplatin works by stopping the growth and division of cancer cells. It does this by binding to the DNA in the cancer cells and preventing them from replicating.

Uses of undefined

Cisplatin is used to treat testicular tumors, ovarian tumors, bladder tumors, lung cancer,  cervical cancer, head and neck epithelial tumors, and. This medicine can prevent the proliferation of cancer cells and prevents cell division which ultimately leads to cell death.

undefined Drug administaration and Dosage available

Cisplatin injection is administered as an intravenous infusion into the vein. If this injection is recommended for you, it will be given by a healthcare professional. Do not self-administer. Your physician will choose the dosage and administration frequency based on the medical condition because it differs for each person.

Warnings, Precautions and Side Effects of undefined

Warnings

Inform your doctor if you have any symptoms of nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) and if you have had any radiotherapy to the head. Notify your doctor if you have hypersensitivity, myelosuppression (lower number of blood cells), or hearing difficulties. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because this may cause harm to the unborn baby. If you are breastfeeding, it has stopped immediately. Consult a doctor for more information. 

Precautions

Report to your doctor immediately if you plan to take the live vaccine, including  yellow fever vaccine and other medications, before starting with Cisplatin because it might reduce the effectiveness of this medicine and may cause side effects. You need regular blood tests to monitor your liver and kidney function while taking this medicine. Both men and women use effective birth control during the treatment and at least six months after the last dose of this injection. You are recommended to drink a lot of water for 24 hours after receiving cisplatin to prevent or lessen kidney issues.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of cisplatin are blood clots in the vein, fast, irregular, or slow heartbeats, sepsis, a decrease in bone marrow function, decrease in the number of WBC, RBC, platelets (thrombocytopenia) sodium in the blood, high temperature, vomiting.

Some serious complications are allergic reactions, neuropathy, kidney problems, severe chest pain, pain or swelling at the injection site, confusion, slurry speech, paralysis, and stroke. 

Word Of Advice

Store at a temperature below 25˚C. Do not refrigerate. Keep the vials away from direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.  Get suggestions about fertility concerns from your doctor and discuss them since, in men, this medicine can cause permanent infertility.

Frequently Asked Question

References

  1. Accord Healthcare Ireland Ltd, [Revised on Feb 2019], [Accessed on 31st March 2023], https://www.accord-healthcare.com/ie/sites/default/files/spc/spc_cisplatin_1_mg.ml_concentrate_for_solution_for_infusion_pa_2315.081.001.pdf
  2. Hospira UK Limited, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on Dec 2022] [Accessed on 31st March 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3788.pdf
  3. Edward Chu, Cancer Chemotherapy, Lange’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 948-976.
  4. KD Tripathi, Anticancer Drugs, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th Edition, 2019, 915-936.

Disclaimer

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.