Oxaliplatin

Last reviewed 01/2018

This is a diaminocyclohexane platinum compound which forms crosslinks in DNA, so inhibiting DNA replication.

Treatment with Oxaliplatin is associated with a 10% probability of an objective response when given alone or in combination with 5-fluorouracil and leucovirin in patients who have already received 5-fluoruracil (1).

NICE recommend the use of oxaliplatin in combination with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid as an option for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage III (Dukes? C) (2)

Possible adverse effects include:

  • mild paraesthesia/dysaesthesia, generally triggered by cold, occurs in most patients after oxaliplatin infusion and may last a few days
  • rarely acute dyspnoea and dysphagia may occur following oxaliplatin infusion - these symptoms generally resolve within a few hours without treatment (3)
  • 10-20% of patients develop longer-lasting, severe sensory symptoms secondary to sensory peripheral neuropathy and related to the cumulative dose of oxaliplatin - generally these symptoms resolve after stopping treatment - however associated functional impairment may last for 3-4 months
  • diarrhoea is a common adverse effect and may be severe
  • neutropenia may occur

The summary of product characteristics should be consulted before prescribing this drug.

Reference:

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