Eloxatin (Oxaliplatin)

What is Eloxatin?

Eloxatin is a platinum complex, also known as Oxaliplatin. Being an antineoplastic agent, Eloxatin essentially belongs to a class of Alkylating agents.

What is Eloxatin used for?

Eloxatin is used for the treatment of advanced cancer of colon and rectum, and can be used for patients who have undergone an entire resection of primary tumor. This drug is also used in the process of cancer chemotherapy.

How does Eloxatin work?

Eloxatin fights cancer by reducing the growth and expansion of cancer cells in a human body. It kills these cells and hinders further growth of the tumor.

How to use Eloxatin

An injection of Eloxatin is induced through a needle into a vein. It must be given at a hospital and it takes around two hours for completion of entire process. The drug is received through an IV infusion.

This treatment, on a standard basis, is to be received every two weeks, and it is a 2-day treatment.

For patients experiencing stage III colon cancer, it is obliged to take Eloxatin for six months, in 12 cycles of two weeks.

Eloxatin warnings and precautions

• All the instructions and precautions that accompany Eloxatin must be carefully followed by the patient, to avoid any side effect.
• If the drug contains any particles or is discolored, then do not use it.
• The IV infusion should be properly flushed before administering another dose to the patient on the same day.
• Pregnant women are not advised to consume Eloxatin without doctor’s consultation.
• Any previously prevailing allergies should be told to the doctor before consuming Eloxatin.
• Consuming more of Eloxatin can result to sensitivity to cold. Therefore, a contact with cold objects must be avoided while under the medication of this drug. Patients must not consume any cold stuff like ice, cold drinks; and do not go close to people suffering from cold flu.

What do I do if I have missed a Eloxatin dose?

If you have missed your Eloxatin dose, you should consult to your doctor as soon as possible.

What do I do if I have taken a Eloxatin overdose?

If you have taken an Eloxatin overdose, you should contact your doctor immediately. Overdose of this medicine has to be treated specially. The signs of overdose are quick bruising and bleeding, difficulty in breathing, numbness, fatigue, and scratchy feeling in arms or legs.

Eloxatin interactions

• There are many common drugs and medicines that can interact with Eloxatin, therefore, a patient must tell the doctor about all the medications he has been following.
• A blood thinner, like warfarin (Coumadin), can interact with Eloxatin. Therefore, both should not be consumed concurrently.
• Other drugs that can interact with Eloxatin are aminoglycosides like gentamicin and amikacin; and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and vancomycin

Eloxatin side effects

Some side effects of Eloxatin can be hives, difficulty in breathing and swelling of face and lips. One may also get numbness, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, cough or flu symptoms, and strange weakness.

This medication can cause a burning ache in daily routine, or chest tightness, and troubles with speaking or swallowing. There are some cases when the consumption of Eloxatin results in white patches in mouth or on lips. If the medicine does not suit a patient, it may lead to difficulty in sleep or constant hair loss.