DBL Cisplatin Injection (Cisplatin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is DBL Cisplatin Injection Used For?
DBL Cisplatin Injection is a chemotherapy medication that helps fight cancer by blocking DNA production in cancer cells, which weakens and destroys them.
Primary Uses
This medication is used to treat testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, and cancers of the head and neck. It may be used alone or combined with other cancer treatments.
How It Works
Cisplatin works by blocking DNA production in cancer cells, which helps to weaken and destroy them. This makes it an effective anti-cancer treatment.
How to Take DBL Cisplatin Injection
DBL Cisplatin Injection is given by a healthcare professional as a slow injection (drip) into a vein. You will not take this medication yourself.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide how much DBL Cisplatin Injection you will receive and how long the treatment will last. The doses are carefully calculated and given by a doctor experienced in its use who will monitor you during treatment.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Since this medication is given by healthcare professionals in a hospital setting, missing doses is extremely unlikely. Your medical team will ensure you receive your treatment as scheduled.
Important: It is extremely unlikely that you will be given too much, as doses are carefully worked out and given by experienced doctors who monitor you during treatment.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Hiccups
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Hair loss, especially of the scalp
- Feeling tired or weak
- Loss of taste
- Aches or pains
- Red, raised or itchy skin rash
- Sore mouth or mouth ulcers
- Abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin
- Shaking or tremors, foot spasms, muscle cramps or twitching
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of allergic reaction (shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, flushing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, hives, dizziness)
- Signs of infection (fever, fatigue, chills, sore throat, aches and pains, coughing)
- Pain, swelling, or redness around injection site
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Reduced urination, joint pain, swelling of feet or lower legs, pain in lower back or side
- Headache, seizures, slurred speech, loss of memory, confusion
- Problems hearing or ringing/abnormal sounds in ears
- Eye pain, blurring or other vision changes
- Problems with movement or reduced reflexes, leg weakness
- Paralysis or numbness of face/arm/leg, tingling or loss of sensation in hands or feet
- Unusual bleeding (bleeding gums, blood in urine/stools, unusual bruising, pinpoint red spots on skin)
- Changes in heart rhythm or rate, chest/neck/back/arm tightness or pain
- Shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing
- Yellowing of skin/eyes/mouth, dark urine
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and conditions that must be considered before starting treatment with DBL Cisplatin Injection.
Who Should Not Take DBL Cisplatin Injection
Do not use this medication if you have: an allergy to cisplatin or other platinum-containing compounds, kidney problems, hearing problems, reduced amounts of red or white blood cells or platelets, any infection, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: low iron levels, heart problems, need dental work or invasive medical procedures, low magnesium or calcium levels, recent vaccinations, recent exposure to infections (especially chicken pox or shingles), muscle numbness or weakness, seizures, or liver problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This medication is potentially harmful to the fetus. Women should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 7 months after treatment. Men should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 4 months after treatment. The medication may affect male and female fertility. Women should not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 1 month after treatment, as the medication passes into breast milk.
Fertility Warning: DBL Cisplatin Injection may affect male and female fertility. Check with your doctor for advice on fertility preservation before you begin treatment.
Drug Interactions
Several medications may interfere with DBL Cisplatin Injection and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- Some medicines to treat bacterial infections (e.g., gentamicin)
- Some medicines to treat fungal infections (e.g., amphotericin B)
- Some medicines to treat cancer (e.g., ifosfamide, etoposide, paclitaxel, bleomycin)
- Methotrexate (used to treat arthritis, psoriasis and cancer)
- Medicines to reduce water in the body (e.g., loop diuretics like furosemide)
- Medicines to treat gout (e.g., allopurinol, colchicine, probenecid, sulfinpyrazone)
- Medicines to prevent seizures/fits (e.g., phenytoin)
- Blood thinners (e.g., coumarins, warfarin)
- Lithium (used to treat bipolar disorder or schizophrenia)
Alcohol & Driving
There are important precautions to follow regarding alcohol consumption and driving while receiving this treatment.
Alcohol
Alcohol should be avoided as it may increase the risk of bleeding in the mouth, throat, stomach and gut.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how DBL Cisplatin Injection affects you.
Storage
DBL Cisplatin Injection will be stored appropriately at the hospital. The hospital staff will dispose of any leftover medication. You do not need to worry about storing or disposing of this medicine yourself.
Overdose Information
As DBL Cisplatin Injection doses are carefully calculated and given by a doctor experienced in its use who will monitor you during treatment, it is extremely unlikely that you will be given too much. The medical team takes all necessary precautions to ensure proper dosing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works by blocking DNA production in cancer cells to weaken and destroy them. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular tests to see how well the treatment is working for your specific condition.
Since DBL Cisplatin Injection is given as an injection into a vein by healthcare professionals, food timing is not a concern. However, you should drink plenty of water before and after treatment to stay well hydrated and help protect your kidneys.
No, DBL Cisplatin Injection is not addictive. It is a chemotherapy medication used to treat cancer and does not cause addiction or dependence.
You should never stop treatment without discussing it with your doctor first. This is a prescribed cancer treatment, and stopping suddenly could affect your cancer treatment plan. Always speak to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment.
No, alcohol should be avoided during treatment as it may increase the risk of bleeding in the mouth, throat, stomach and gut.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects like allergic reactions, signs of infection, severe nausea and vomiting, hearing problems, vision changes, or unusual bleeding. For less serious side effects that worry you, speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
Yes, treatment with DBL Cisplatin Injection requires your doctor to monitor your kidneys, liver, blood chemicals, and blood cells. You should keep all doctor appointments and attend any tests as directed. You should also drink plenty of water to help protect your kidneys.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.