CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Carboplatin, like cisplatin, produces predominantly interstrand DNA cross-links rather than DNA-protein cross-links. This effect is apparently cell-cycle nonspecific. The aquation of carboplatin, which is thought to produce the active species, occurs at a slower rate than in the case of cisplatin. Despite this difference, it appears that both carboplatin and cisplatin induce equal numbers of drug-DNA cross-links, causing equivalent lesions and biological effects. The differences in potencies for carboplatin and cisplatin appear to be directly related to the difference in aquation rates.
In patients with creatinine clearances of about 60 mL/min or greater, plasma levels of intact carboplatin decay in a biphasic manner after a 30-minute intravenous infusion of 300 mg/m2 to 500 mg/m2 of carboplatin. The initial plasma half-life (alpha) was found to be 1.1 to 2 hours (n=6), and the postdistribution plasma half-life (beta) was found to be 2.6 to 5.9 hours (n=6). The total body clearance, apparent volume of distribution and mean residence time for carboplatin are 4.4 L/hour, 16 L and 3.5 hours, respectively. The Cmax values and areas under the plasma concentration versus time curves from 0 to infinity (AUC inf) increase linearly with dose, although the increase was slightly more than dose proportional. Carboplatin, therefore, exhibits linear pharmacokinetics over the dosing range studied (300 mg/m2 to 500 mg/m2).
Carboplatin is not bound to plasma proteins. No significant quantities of protein-free, ultrafilterable platinum-containing species other than carboplatin are present in plasma. However, platinum from carboplatin becomes irreversibly bound to plasma proteins and is slowly eliminated with a minimum half-life of 5 days.
The major route of elimination of carboplatin is renal excretion. Patients with creatinine clearances of approximately 60 mL/min or greater excrete 65% of the dose in the urine within 12 hours and 71% of the dose within 24 hours. All of the platinum in the 24-hour urine is present as carboplatin. Only 3% to 5% of the administered platinum is excreted in the urine between 24 and 96 hours. There are insufficient data to determine whether biliary excretion occurs.
In patients with creatinine clearances below 60 mL/min, the total body and renal clearances of carboplatin decrease as the creatinine clearance decreases. Carboplatin Injection dosages should therefore be reduced in these patients (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
The primary determinant of Carboplatin Injection clearance is glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and this parameter of renal function is often decreased in elderly patients. Dosing formulas incorporating estimates of GFR (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION) to provide predictable Carboplatin Injection plasma AUCs should be used in elderly patients to minimize the risk of toxicity.
PATIENT INFORMATION
PATIENT INFORMATION
Rx only
Read this entire leaflet carefully. Keep it for future reference. |
Carboplatin Injection
This information will help you learn more about Carboplatin Injection. It cannot, however, cover all the possible warnings or side effects relating to Carboplatin Injection, and it does not list all of the benefits and risks of Carboplatin Injection. Your doctor should always be your first choice for detailed information about your medical condition and your treatment. Be sure to ask your doctor about any questions you may have.
What is cancer?
Under normal conditions, the cells in your body divide and grow in an orderly, controlled fashion. Cell division and growth are necessary for the human body to perform its functions and to repair itself. Cancer cells are different from normal cells because they are not able to control their own growth. The reasons for this abnormal growth are not yet fully understood.
A tumor is a mass of unhealthy cells that are dividing and growing fast and in an uncontrolled way. When a tumor invades surrounding healthy body tissue it is known as a malignant tumor. A malignant tumor can spread (metastasize) from its original location to other parts of the body.
What is Carboplatin Injection?
Carboplatin Injection is a medicine that is used to treat cancer of the ovaries. It acts by interfering with the division of rapidly multiplying cells, particularly cancer cells.
Who should not take Carboplatin Injection?
Treatment with Carboplatin Injection is not recommended if you:
- •
- are allergic to Carboplatin Injection or other platinum-containing products;
- •
- have a weakened blood-forming system (bone marrow depression) or significant bleeding;
- •
- are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding a baby.
How is Carboplatin Injection used?
Only a professional experienced in the use of cancer drugs should give you this medication. Carboplatin Injection is given by dripping the medicine slowly and directly into a vein (intravenous infusion) for 15 minutes or longer. Your doctor will determine the dose of Carboplatin Injection for you based on your weight, height, and kidney function. Carboplatin Injection may be given alone or with other drugs. Treatment is usually repeated every four weeks for a number of cycles.
Before and after Carboplatin Injection treatment, your doctor may give you medication to lessen the nausea and vomiting associated with this cancer treatment.
What should you tell your doctor before starting treatment with Carboplatin Injection?
Discuss the benefits and risks of Carboplatin Injection with your doctor before beginning treatment.
Be sure to inform your doctor:
- •
- If you are allergic to Carboplatin Injection or other platinum containing products;
- •
- If you are or intend to become pregnant, since Carboplatin Injection may harm the developing fetus. It is important to use effective birth control while you are being treated with Carboplatin Injection;
- •
- If you are breast-feeding, since nursing infants may be exposed to Carboplatin Injection in this way;
- •
- If you are taking other medicines, including all prescription and non prescription (over-the-counter) drugs, since Carboplatin Injection may affect the action of other medicines;
- •
- If you have any other medical problems, especially chicken pox (including recent exposure to adults or children with chicken pox), shingles, hearing problems, infection, or kidney disease, since treatment with Carboplatin Injection increases the risk and severity of these conditions.
What should I avoid while taking Carboplatin Injection?
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, or if you are breast feeding, let your doctor know right away. Carboplatin Injection may harm your developing fetus or breast-feeding baby. If you are a woman of childbearing age, you should use birth control to avoid getting pregnant while you are taking Carboplatin Injection.
You should avoid contact with adults and children who have infections, and tell your doctor right away if you show signs of infection such as cough, fever, and/or chills.
Also, while you are being treated with Carboplatin Injection or after you stop treatment, first check with your doctor before getting any immunizations (vaccinations). Avoid contact with adults or children who have received oral polio vaccine since they can pass the polio virus to you.
What are the possible side effects of Carboplatin Injection?
Carboplatin Injection may cause unwanted effects, particularly because Carboplatin Injection interferes with the growth of normal cells as well as cancer cells. For example, the occurrence of another cancer (secondary malignancy) has been reported in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy with multiple drugs. It is not always possible to tell whether such effects are caused by Carboplatin Injection, another drug you may be taking, or your illness. Because some of these effects may be serious, you will need close medical supervision during treatment with Carboplatin Injection.
The most serious side effects of Carboplatin Injection are:
- •
- bleeding and reduced blood cells, including reduced red blood cells (anemia) and platelets (needed for proper blood clotting), which may be severe enough to require blood transfusion. You should tell your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding, including black tarry stools or blood in the urine.
- •
- infection – Carboplatin Injection can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the risk of infection;
- •
- life-threatening allergic reaction – during and after treatment the doctor or nurse will observe you carefully for signs of allergic reaction;
- •
- kidney and liver problems;
- •
- loss of hearing or ringing in the ears;
Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these effects, or notice effects that worry you or are troublesome.
Of the less serious side effects associated with Carboplatin Injection treatment, the most common are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, hair loss and numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in the hands or feet.
This medicine was prescribed for your particular condition. It must be given under close medical supervision by a doctor trained in the use of drugs for the treatment of cancer. This summary does not include everything there is to know about Carboplatin Injection. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in patient leaflets. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information about Carboplatin Injection, your physician and pharmacist have the complete prescribing information upon which this information is based. You may want to read it and discuss it with your doctor. Remember, no written summary can replace careful discussion with your doctor.
Distributed by Hospira, Inc. Lake Forest, IL 60045
LAB-1016-2.0
Revised: 4/2018
Additional Resources
Chat online with Pfizer Medical Information regarding your inquiry on a Pfizer medicine or vaccine.
Speak with a Pfizer Medical Information Professional regarding your Pfizer medicine or vaccine inquiry.
Available 9AM-5PM ET Monday to Friday; excluding holidays.
Submit a medical question for a Pfizer medicine or a vaccine.
The submission will be reviewed during our standard business hours.
To report an adverse event related to a Pfizer product and you are not part of a clinical trial* for this medication, click the link below to submit your information:
Pfizer Safety Reporting Site
*If you are involved in a clinical trial for either product, adverse events should be reported to your coordinating study site.
If you cannot use the above website to report an adverse event related to a Pfizer medication, please call (800) 438-1985.
You may also contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directly to report adverse events or product quality concerns either online at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling (800) 332-1088.