Kemocarb – Carboplatin Injection

WHAT IS KEMOKARB ?

Kemokarb is an anticancer drug (“antineoplastic” or “cytotoxic”) chemotherapy drug. Cancerous tumors are characterized by cell division, which is no longer controlled as it is in normal tissue. “Normal” cells stop dividing when they come into contact with like cells, a mechanism known as contact inhibition. Cancerous cells lose this ability. Cancer cells no longer have the normal checks and balances in place that control and limit cell division. The process of cell division, whether normal or cancerous cells, is through the cell cycle. The cell cycle goes from the resting phase, through active growing phases, and then to mitosis (division).

MEDICINE USES :

Carboplatin is used to treat ovarian cancer. It is also used for other types of cancer, including lung, head and neck, endometrial, esophageal, bladder, breast, and cervical; central nervous system or germ cell tumors; osteogenic sarcoma; and as preparation for a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

CARBOPLATIN COMMON SIDE EFFECTS :

nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; tired feeling; temporary hair loss; or pain, swelling or redness where the medicine was injected.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

    pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
    fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
    severe or ongoing vomiting; stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet; hearing or vision problems;
    skin changes where the medicine was injected; or low magnesium (confusion, uneven heart rate, jerking muscle movements, muscle weakness or limp feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

SAFETY INFORMATION (Precautions) for KEMOKARB CARBOPLATIN INJECTION :

    Kemokarb may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
    Carboplatin may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
    Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Carboplatin. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
    Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Carboplatin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
    PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Carboplatin has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

This is not a complete list. Ask your health care provider for more information.

MEDICATION STORAGE REQUIREMENTS :

Unopened vials of Kemokarb Injection are stable for the life indicated on the package when stored at 25°C (77°F) [excursions permitted to 15°- 30°C (59°- 86°F) and protected from light. This injection multidose vials maintain microbial, chemical, and physical stability for up to 15 days at 25°C following multiple needle entries.

DRUG INTERACTIONS :

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Kemokarb. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

    Aminoglycoside antibiotics (eg, gentamicin) and anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because side effects, including risk of bleeding, kidney problems, or hearing problems, may be increased by this medication
    Medicines that may harm the kidney (eg, amphotericin B, cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] [eg, ibuprofen], tacrolimus, vancomycin) because the risk of kidney side effects may be increased. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the kidney.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.