oxaliplatin at a glance
Medicine class
Platinum-based cytotoxic chemotherapy
Licensed uses
Stage III colon cancer after complete tumour resection and metastatic colorectal cancer, in combination treatment
How it is given
An intravenous infusion prepared and administered by specialist cancer staff
Characteristic effect
Cold-triggered tingling, numbness or throat sensations can occur
What is oxaliplatin used for?
The selected product is licensed for adults in combination with fluorouracil and folinic acid.
Adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer after complete removal of the primary tumour.
Treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
How does oxaliplatin work?
Oxaliplatin is converted into reactive platinum compounds that bind across DNA strands. These cross-links disrupt DNA copying and damage rapidly dividing cancer cells.
oxaliplatin preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 5 mg/mL
How to take oxaliplatin
Oxaliplatin is not taken at home. Specialist staff dilute it and give it into a peripheral or central vein. Tell the nurse immediately if the infusion site becomes painful, red or swollen. Cold air, objects, food and drinks can trigger short-lived sensory symptoms, so follow the cancer unit's cold-avoidance advice.
Attend arranged blood tests and clinical assessments.
Take prescribed anti-sickness treatment as directed.
Report tingling, numbness, cramps, throat sensations or difficulty with fine hand movements before further treatment.
oxaliplatin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Cold-triggered tingling, numbness, altered sensation or cramps
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal discomfort
- Sore mouth or mouth ulcers
- Tiredness, weakness, fever or headache
- Reduced white cells, red cells or platelets
- Taste changes, reduced appetite or hair loss
- Injection-site discomfort
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, shivering or other infection symptoms, which may indicate neutropenic infection or sepsis
- Breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, widespread rash, faintness or chest tightness suggesting a serious allergic reaction
- Persistent or function-limiting numbness, weakness, balance problems or visual disturbance
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, dehydration, marked abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding
- Unexplained cough or breathlessness
- Seizure, severe headache, confusion or sudden visual change
- Muscle pain and swelling with weakness, fever or dark urine
- Unusual bruising, bleeding, reduced urine or jaundice
oxaliplatin in pregnancy
Information about oxaliplatin in human pregnancy is limited. The selected SmPC does not recommend it during pregnancy unless specialist assessment supports its use after discussion of fetal risk. Tell the oncology team immediately about pregnancy or plans to conceive. The SmPC advises effective contraception during treatment and afterwards—9 months for women who could become pregnant and 6 months for men—and recommends discussing fertility preservation before treatment where relevant.
oxaliplatin while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated during oxaliplatin treatment because transfer into human milk is unknown and cytotoxic exposure could harm the infant. Discuss feeding plans and when breastfeeding might safely resume with the oncology and maternity teams.
oxaliplatin interactions
The cancer team should review prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products before treatment.
Live or live-attenuated vaccines
Avoid during oxaliplatin treatment because chemotherapy-related immunosuppression can cause serious infection; responses to inactivated vaccines may also be reduced.
Medicines that prolong the QT interval
Combined use may increase the risk of serious abnormal heart rhythms, so ECG and electrolyte monitoring may be required.
Medicines associated with rhabdomyolysis
Combined use may increase concern about severe muscle injury; new muscle pain, swelling, weakness or dark urine needs prompt assessment.
Common questions about oxaliplatin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What cancers is oxaliplatin licensed to treat?
The selected product is licensed with fluorouracil and folinic acid for metastatic colorectal cancer and for stage III colon cancer after complete removal of the primary tumour.
Why does oxaliplatin cause cold sensitivity?
Oxaliplatin can temporarily disturb sensory-nerve signalling, and cold commonly triggers tingling, numbness, cramps or unusual throat sensations.
Can oxaliplatin neuropathy become permanent?
Symptoms often improve after treatment stops, but persistent or occasionally permanent sensory neuropathy can occur. Report worsening symptoms or difficulty with everyday tasks promptly.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.