cisplatin
Last reviewed 01/2018
Cisplatin, and its analogue carboplatin, are the drugs of choice in ovarian and germ cell cancers.
The administration of cisplatin is complicated by the need for intravenous fluid loading during drug administration because of the need to minimise renal toxicity. Carboplatin is less nephrotoxic than cisplatin but more myelotoxic.
Studies have shown evidence of a dose-response relationship with these drugs and this has encouraged the use of high dose treatment with the attendant major side-effects of nausea, vomiting, renal damage and neurotoxicity.
Tetany may result from hypomagnesaemia (due to real renal loss). However myelosuppression is unusual with cisplatin (1).
Reference:
- Tattersall M, Medicine International 1991, 92, 3830-32.