Do not use Carboplatin Pfizer:
- if you are allergic to carboplatin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- if you are allergic to another drug that belongs to the group of platinum containing compound.
- if you are breast feeding
- if you have severe problems with your kidney (creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min) and/or liver fuinction.
- if you have an imbalance of your blood cells (severe myelosuppression).
- if you have a tumour that bleeds.
- If you plan to receive a yellow fever vaccination or have just received one.
If any of these apply to you and you have not already discussed this with your doctor or nurse, it is recommended to inform the doctor or nurse as soon as possible and before receiving Carboplatin Pfizer.
Carboplatin is usually given to patients in hospital. Normally you must not handle this medicine. Your doctor or nurse will administer the medicine and will carefully and frequently monitor you during and after treatment. You will normally have blood tests before each administration.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or nurse before using Carboplatin Pfizer:
If you are pregnant or there is a chance you may be pregnant.
If you are breast-feeding.
If you are likely to drink alcohol whilst treated with this medicine. If you are on radiotherapy.
If you have had or are due to have any vaccination including a live or live-attenuated vaccination.
If your kidneys are not working properly the effects of carboplatin on the blood (haematopoietic system) are increased and prolonged compared to patients with normal kidney function.
In patients with abnormal kidney function visual disturbances, including reversible loss of vision has been reported if carboplatin is used in dose higher than that recommended. The vision may recover totally or to a significant extent upon discontinuation of this medicine.
Your doctor will want to monitor you more regularly if your kidneys are not working properly.
Older people are more likely to experience side effect of the carboplatin on the blood count and nervous system.
If any of these apply to you and you have not already discussed this with your doctor or nurse, it is recommended to inform the doctor or nurse as soon as possible and before receiving the medicine.
This medicine may be diluted with another solution before it is administered. You must discuss this with your doctor and make sure that it is suitable for you.
Talk to your doctor or nurse before being given Carboplatin Pfizer.
Other medicines and Carboplatin Pfizer
Tell your doctor or nurse if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.
You should tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines as they may interact with Carboplatin Pfizer:
- yellow fever vaccine and other live vaccines
- other medicines that are known to affect blood cell formation in the bone marrow
- other medicines that are known to be toxic to your kidney (e.g. aminoglycosides antibiotics, loop diuretics, vancomycin, capreomycin)
- other medicines that are known to damage the hearing or balance functions of the ear (e.g. aminoglycosides antibiotics, furosemide (loop diuretics), [used to treat heart failure and edema], vancomycin, capreomycin)
- other medicines which decrease the activity of the immune system (e.g cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus and other anticancer medicine)
- blood thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- phenytoin and fosphenytoin (used to treat various types of convulsions and seizures)
- chelating agents (substances binding to carboplatin thereby decreasing the effect of carboplatin)
Carboplatin with alcohol
There is no known interaction between carboplatin and alcohol. However you must check with your doctor as carboplatin may affect the liver’s ability to cope with alcohol.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
If any of these apply to you and you have not already discussed this with your doctor or nurse, it is recommended to inform your doctor or nurse as soon as possible and before receiving this medicine.
This medicine must not be used during pregnancy other than in the most exceptional circumstances in the treatment of cancer; where the potential benefit to the mother is considered to be greater than the risk to the unborn baby.
If treatment becomes necessary during the lactation period, breastfeeding must be stopped.
Carboplatin can cause genetic damage. Women are advised to avoid becoming pregnant by using effective contraception before and during treatment. For women who are pregnant or become pregnant during therapy, genetic counselling should be provided.
Men treated with carboplatin are advised not to father a child during, and up to 6 months after treatment. Advice on conservation of sperm should be sought prior to treatment because of the possibility of irreversible infertility.
Ask your doctor or nurse for advice before using any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Carboplatin Pfizer does not affect your ability to drive and use machines. However you should take extra care when you are given carboplatin especially if you are feeling and/or being sick, experiencing visual and hearing disturbances or feeling unsure of yourself.