Platinol (Restricted Access)

Generic Name: cisplatin (sis PLA tin)

Brand Names: Platinol (Restricted Access)

What is Platinol (Restricted Access) (cisplatin)?

Cisplatin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Cisplatin is used together with other medications to treat bladder cancer, testicular cancer, or ovarian cancer.

Cisplatin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Platinol (Restricted Access) (cisplatin)?

You should not receive cisplatin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to cisplatin or similar medications such as carboplatin (Paraplatin) or oxaliplatin (Eloxatin). You should not receive cisplatin if you have severe bleeding or bone marrow suppression.

Before receiving cisplatin, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, or if you have received cisplatin in the past.

Cisplatin can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before you receive cisplatin, tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys.

Cisplatin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Call your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth sores, hearing or vision problems, numbness or tingling, feeling short of breath, or muscle weakness.

Using cisplatin may increase your risk of developing leukemia. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Platinol (Restricted Access) (cisplatin)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to cisplatin or similar medications such as carboplatin (Paraplatin) or oxaliplatin (Eloxatin). You should not receive cisplatin if you have kidney disease or hearing loss.

To make sure you can safely take cisplatin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  liver disease;

  
  


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  kidney disease; or

  
  


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  if you have ever received cisplatin in the past.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use cisplatin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Cisplatin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not breast feed a baby while receiving this medication. Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults using cisplatin.

How is cisplatin given?

Cisplatin is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

You may be given IV fluids for 8 to 12 hours before you receive cisplatin.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when cisplatin is injected.

Cisplatin can be harmful if it gets on your skin. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water or rinse the eyes thoroughly with plain water.

Cisplatin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.

To make sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment for your cisplatin injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include some of the serious side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while taking Platinol (Restricted Access) (cisplatin)?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Cisplatin can cause side effects that may impair your vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

Platinol (Restricted Access) (cisplatin) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  hearing problems;

  
  


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  trouble with walking or daily activities;

  
  


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  numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your hands or feet;

  
  


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  urinating less than usual or not at all;

  
  


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  drowsiness, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;

  
  


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  swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;

  
  


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  easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

  
  


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  pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

  
  


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  fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;

  
  


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  severe or ongoing vomiting;

  
  


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  chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

  
  


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  sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

  
  


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  sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

  
  


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  numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth, fast or slow heart rate, muscle tightness or contraction, overactive reflexes;

  
  


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  seizure (convulsions);

  
  


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  jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  
  


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  low magnesium (confusion, uneven heart rate, jerking muscle movements, muscle weakness or limp feeling);

  
  


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  low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or

  
  


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  low sodium (headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, feeling unsteady, hallucinations, fainting, shallow breathing or breathing that stops).

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  decreased sense of taste;

  
  


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  mild nausea or vomiting;

  
  


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  tired feeling;

  
  


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  temporary hair loss; or

  
  


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  pain, swelling, burning, or irritation around the IV needle.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Platinol (Restricted Access) (cisplatin)?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  altretamine (Hexalen);

  
  


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  vitamin B6 (pyridoxine); or

  
  


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  seizure medication.

  
  

Cisplatin can harm your kidneys. This effect is increased when you also use other medicines harmful to the kidneys. You may need dose adjustments or special tests if you have recently used:

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  medicines to treat a bowel disorder;

  
  


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  medication to prevent organ transplant rejection;

  
  


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  antiviral medications;

  
  


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  pain or arthritis medicines; or

  
  


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  any injected antibiotics.

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with cisplatin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Platinol (Restricted Access) resources

• Platinol (Restricted Access) Side Effects (in more detail)
• Platinol (Restricted Access) Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Platinol (Restricted Access) Drug Interactions
• Platinol (Restricted Access) Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Platinol (Restricted Access) - Add your own review/rating

• Cisplatin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Cisplatin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Cisplatin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Cisplatin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Platinol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Platinol-AQ Prescribing Information (FDA)


• cisplatin Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare Platinol (Restricted Access) with other medications

• Bladder Cancer
• Blood Cell Transplantation
• Bone Marrow Transplantation
• Brain Tumor
• Cervical Cancer
• Neuroblastoma
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Osteogenic Sarcoma
• Ovarian Cancer
• Testicular Cancer

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about cisplatin.

See also: Platinol (Restricted Access) side effects (in more detail)