Eloxatin

Pronunciation: ox-AL-ih-plah-tin
Generic Name: Oxaliplatin
Brand Name: Eloxatin

Use Eloxatin only under close medical supervision. Eloxatin may rarely cause severe and sometimes fatal allergic reactions during administration. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, hives, itching, dizziness, swelling, excessive sweating, chest pain, disorientation, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or fainting.

Eloxatin is used for:

Treating advanced cancer of the colon or rectum in certain patients. It is usually used in combination with other medicines.

Eloxatin is an antineoplastic. It works by killing cancer cells and slowing tumor growth.

Do NOT use Eloxatin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Eloxatin or to another platinum product (eg, cisplatin, carboplatin)


• you have certain lung problems (eg, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease) or bone marrow disease

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Eloxatin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Eloxatin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have kidney or liver problems, blood disorders (eg, anemia), or nerve disorders

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Eloxatin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased


• Medicines that may harm the kidney (eg, aminoglycoside antibiotics [eg, gentamicin], amphotericin B, cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] [eg, ibuprofen], tacrolimus, vancomycin) because the risk of Eloxatin's side effects may be increased. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the kidney

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Eloxatin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Eloxatin:

Use Eloxatin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Eloxatin. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Eloxatin is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.


• Do not use Eloxatin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• If nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite occurs, ask your doctor or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects. Also, other medicines may be given before and after therapy with Eloxatin to help reduce these effects.


• It is important to take each dose as scheduled. If you must miss a dose, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Eloxatin.

Important safety information:

• Eloxatin may cause dizziness, fatigue, balance problems, temporary vision loss, or other vision changes. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Eloxatin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.


• Eloxatin may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Eloxatin may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first.


• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Eloxatin. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.


• Some patients using Eloxatin have developed severe and sometimes fatal lung problems. Tell your doctor right away if you develop dry cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain.


• Eloxatin may cause burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet, or around the mouth or throat. It may also cause jaw spasms, odd feelings in your tongue, joint or eye pain, or chest pressure. Exposure to cold temperatures or cold objects may make these symptoms worse. Avoid drinking cold drinks and ice while receiving Eloxatin. Cover exposed skin before exposing yourself to cold temperatures or cold objects. Tell your doctor if these persist or become bothersome.


• You can reduce sensitivity to cold temperatures or objects by doing the following: cover yourself with a blanket while receiving medicine; do not breathe deeply when exposed to cold air; wear warm clothing in cold weather at all times; cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or a ski cap to warm the air that goes into your lungs; wear gloves when removing items from the freezer and refrigerator or when touching car doors, mailboxes, or other metal objects; drink lukewarm fluids; drink beverages with a straw; do not use ice chips if you have nausea or mouth sores; do not put ice packs on your body; do not run the air conditioning at high levels in the house or car during hot weather; if you get cold, warm up only the cold part of your body; warm cold hands up with warm water.


• Diabetes patients - Eloxatin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Women who may become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control while they are using Eloxatin. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about effective birth control.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and liver function, may be performed while you use Eloxatin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Eloxatin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially diarrhea, dehydration, low potassium levels, fatigue, and fainting.


• Eloxatin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Eloxatin has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Eloxatin while you are pregnant. It is unknown if Eloxatin is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Eloxatin.

Possible side effects of Eloxatin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; decreased appetite; diarrhea; dizziness; fatigue; gas; hair loss; headache; heartburn; hiccups; increased tears; muscle or joint aches; nausea; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; runny nose; taste changes; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight loss.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in the urine; calf or groin pain, swelling, or redness; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain or pressure; confusion, slurred speech, or one-sided weakness; coughing up blood; disorientation; excessive sweating; fainting; flushing; mouth sores or swelling; nosebleeds; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting; severe or persistent dizziness; severe or persistent pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; severe or persistent tiredness or weakness; shortness of breath; sudden, severe headache; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of dehydration (eg, very dry eyes, mouth, or skin; unusual thirst); symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, or sore throat; painful urination; productive cough); symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; persistent nausea, stomach pain, or loss of appetite); symptoms of low potassium levels (eg, irregular heartbeat, muscle pain or cramps); symptoms of stomach or bowel bleeding (eg, black, tarry stools; vomit that looks like coffee grounds); trouble walking, swallowing, speaking, or performing other daily tasks (eg, writing, buttoning); unusual bruising or bleeding; vision loss or other vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Eloxatin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; diarrhea; easy bruising or bleeding; fatigue; muscle spasms in the face; persistent change in bowel habits; persistent sore throat or fever; numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet; severe nausea and vomiting; shortness of breath; swelling in the mouth; swollen stomach; very slow heartbeat; wheezing.

Proper storage of Eloxatin:

Eloxatin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Eloxatin at home, store Eloxatin as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Eloxatin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Eloxatin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Eloxatin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Eloxatin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Eloxatin resources

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

• Eloxatin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Eloxatin Consumer Overview


• Eloxatin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Eloxatin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Oxaliplatin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Oxaliplatin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

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