carboplatin at a glance
Medicine class
Platinum-based cytotoxic chemotherapy
Licensed uses
Epithelial ovarian cancer and small-cell lung cancer
Administration
Given into a vein by a trained cancer-care team
Key checks
Blood counts, kidney and liver function; checks may also include electrolytes and hearing
What is carboplatin used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Ovarian carcinoma of epithelial origin
Small-cell lung carcinoma
How does carboplatin work?
Carboplatin releases platinum that binds within and between DNA strands. These crosslinks interfere with DNA replication and transcription, causing susceptible cancer cells to die.
carboplatin preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 10 mg/mL
How to take carboplatin
Carboplatin is not taken by mouth. Staff trained in handling chemotherapy dilute the concentrate and administer it into a vein. Anti-sickness treatment may be given. Tell staff immediately if the infusion site becomes painful, red, swollen or burning.
Attend requested blood tests and assessments.
Tell the team about side effects, infections, allergies, vaccines and all other medicines.
Food does not affect administration because carboplatin is given intravenously.
carboplatin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reduced red cells, white cells or platelets, causing tiredness, infection risk, bruising or bleeding
- Nausea, vomiting or abdominal discomfort
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Tiredness or weakness
- Taste changes, tingling or numbness
- Hair loss or skin changes
- Hearing or visual disturbance
- Changes in kidney, liver or electrolyte test results
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, chills or other signs of infection, including possible neutropenic sepsis
- Unexpected or persistent bleeding or widespread bruising
- Breathing difficulty, facial swelling, hives, faintness or other signs of anaphylaxis
- Marked reduction in urine, severe weakness, confusion, seizures or sudden visual change
- Severe pain, swelling or skin damage around the infusion site
carboplatin in pregnancy
Carboplatin can harm a developing baby, and its safety in pregnancy has not been established. Discuss pregnancy urgently with the oncology and obstetric teams. Effective contraception is advised during treatment and for at least 7 months afterwards for patients who could become pregnant, and during treatment and for at least 4 months afterwards for men with partners who could become pregnant.
carboplatin while breastfeeding
Carboplatin and active metabolites have been found in human milk. The selected product states that breastfeeding must stop during treatment and for 1 month after the last administration. Discuss feeding options with the specialist team.
carboplatin interactions
The oncology team should review prescription, non-prescription and complementary products before treatment.
Yellow fever vaccine
Concomitant use is contraindicated because immunosuppression can cause severe generalised vaccine infection.
Other live attenuated vaccines
Avoid during treatment because systemic, potentially fatal infection may occur; ask the cancer team about alternatives.
Phenytoin or fosphenytoin
Carboplatin may reduce anticonvulsant exposure, while phenytoin may alter cytotoxic treatment effectiveness or toxicity.
Common questions about carboplatin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is carboplatin the same as cisplatin?
No. Both are platinum chemotherapy agents, but they have different toxicity and pharmacokinetic profiles and are not automatically interchangeable.
Why are kidney tests needed?
The kidneys remove much of carboplatin. Reduced renal function can increase exposure and make bone-marrow suppression more severe or prolonged.
Why are blood counts checked?
Carboplatin commonly reduces white cells, red cells and platelets. Tests identify infection, anaemia and bleeding risks and confirm recovery.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.