Oxaliplatin chemotherapy is used to treat colon or rectal cancer that has spread or metastasized. It is mostly given in combination with other chemotherapy drugs like fluorouracil and leucovorin. Oxaliplatin is a platinum compound classified as an alkylating agent. The trade name for oxaliplatin is Eloxatin.

Working of Oxaliplatin

Alkylating agents are most active in the resting phase of the cell. These drugs are cell-cycle non-specific. There are several types of alkylating agents. Oxaliplatin is an alkylating agent categorised as metal salt. The cytotoxic effect due to platinum compounds is due to the inhibition of DNA synthesis in cancer cells.

Administration of Oxaliplatin

It is given intravenously as there is no pill form of oxaliplatin as of now. Normally, it is given once in 14 days depending on your scheduled cycle of treatment. The amount of dose and the frequency depends on various factors like the patient’s height, weight, other health problems, overall health, the type and stage of the cancer.

Side Effects of Oxaliplatin Chemotherapy

Like any other chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin has its own side effects. It has infusion related side effect like there could be difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, jaw spasm, abnormal tongue sensation and feeling of chest pressure. Although these symptoms are rare, they occur in few people within a few hours of infusion especially when the patient is exposed to cold temperatures. Avoiding exposure to cold could prevent these symptoms. Also, further infusions could be given at a slower rate.

Some of the common side effects are during and after the treatment are-

• Peripheral neuropathy

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Low blood counts - Reduced numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets that lead to anemia, hampered immunity or bleeding and bruising respectively.
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite

Some relatively uncommon side effects are-

• Constipation

• Fever
• Generalized pain
• Headache
• Cough
• Temporary increases in blood tests measuring liver function
• Allergic reaction- This could cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, rash, hives, sudden cough or swelling of the lips or tongue.

Precautions for Oxaliplatin Chemotherapy

• Make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking or have taken in the past. This includes herbs, supplements, OTC medications, alternative therapies, prescribed medications, etc.

• Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin without your doctor’s permission.
• Do not receive any vaccination with live vaccines without your doctor’s permission.
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, a lactating mother or plan to conceive a child as this drug could harm a developing fetus.
• Be sure to mention if you are taking any anticoagulants or blood thinners like warfarin as certain chemotherapy drugs make the blood thinner and this could hamper your blood clotting ability. Your doctor would adjust the dose accordingly.
• Tell your doctor in case you have a kidney disease or a history of kidney disease.
• Do not breast feed while taking Oxaliplatin as this drug could enter the breast milk and prove toxic for the baby.

Oxaliplatin Chemotherapy is often combined with s-FU to treat bowel cancer. This is supplemented with folinic acid that makes 5-FU more effective. This is called as FOLFOX chemotherapy. This treatment generally requires a short stay in the hospital or the patient has to come everyday till the infusions are over as per the schedule. At times, cetuximab is added to oxaliplatin to treat advanced colorectal cancer. It is also used as adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical removal of cancer. In spite of all this, oxaliplatin should be administered carefully as it causes adverse allergic reactions that could prove fatal.