Summary
Commonly reported side effects of cisplatin include: bone marrow depression, nephrotoxicity, and ototoxicity. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to cisplatin: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution.
Warning
Intravenous route (Powder for Solution)
Nephrotoxicity: cisplatin injection can cause severe renal toxicity, including acute renal failure. Severe renal toxicities are dose-related and cumulative. Consider dose reductions or alternative treatments in patients with renal impairment.Peripheral Neuropathy: cisplatin injection can cause dose-related peripheral neuropathy.Nausea and Vomiting: cisplatin injection can cause severe nausea and vomiting. Premedicate with antiemetics.Myelosuppression: cisplatin injection can cause severe myelosuppression with fatalities due to infections. Monitor blood counts and interrupt therapy accordingly.
Serious side effects of Cisplatin
Along with its needed effects, cisplatin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cisplatin:
More common
- Black, tarry stools
- blood in urine or stools
- burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
- change in frequency of urination or amount of urine
- cough or hoarseness
- difficulty in breathing
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- feeling of fullness in the ears
- fever or chills
- increased thirst
- loss of appetite
- loss of balance
- loss of hearing
- lower back or side pain
- nausea or vomiting
- painful or difficult urination
- pinpoint red spots on skin
- ringing or buzzing in the ears
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
- trouble in hearing
- unsteadiness or awkwardness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Incidence not known
- Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
- bleeding gums
- blindness
- blue-yellow color blindness
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- decreased vision
- eye pain
- fast heartbeat
- general body swelling
- headache
- leg pain
- nosebleeds
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- pale skin
- sweating
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weight loss
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Cisplatin
Some side effects of cisplatin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Bloating
- constipation
- diarrhea
- hair loss or thinning
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- muscle cramps
- rash
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to cisplatin: compounding powder, intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.
Renal
Very common (10% or more): Renal toxicity (36%)
Frequency not reported: Renal failure acute, renal tubular disorder[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Rare (less than 0.1%): Stomatitis
Frequency not reported: Anorexia, hiccups[Ref]
Nervous system
Rare (less than 0.1%): Convulsion, neuropathy peripheral, leukoencephalopathy, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome
Frequency not reported: Cerebrovascular accident, hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke ageusia, cerebral arteritis, Lhermitte's sign, myelopathy, autonomic neuropathy[Ref]
Hematologic
Very common (10% or more): Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia
Frequency not reported: Coombs positive hemolytic anemia[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Vision blurred, color blindness acquired, blindness cortical, optic neuritis, papilledema, retinal pigmentation[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylactoid reaction[Ref]
Hepatic
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatic enzymes increased, blood bilirubin increased[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Local soft tissue toxicity (e.g., cellulitis, fibrosis, necrosis, pain, edema, erythema) as the result of extravasation[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrest
Frequency not reported: Cardiac disorder, arrhythmia, bradycardia, tachycardia, thrombotic microangiopathy (hemolytic uremic syndrome), Raynaud's phenomenon[Ref]
Endocrine
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal spermatogenesis
Frequency not reported: Blood amylase increased, inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion[Ref]
Dermatologic
Frequency not reported: Rash, alopecia[Ref]
Metabolic
Very common (10% or more): Anorexia, hyponatremia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypomagnesemia
Frequency not reported: Dehydration, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperuricemia, hypocalcemia, tetany[Ref]
Immunologic
Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis
Frequency not reported: Infection[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Muscle spasms[Ref]
Oncologic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute leukemia[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Pulmonary embolism, wheezing[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Tinnitus and/or high frequency hearing loss (31%), pyrexia
Frequency not reported: Tinnitus, deafness[Ref]
