Quick Facts About: Oxaliplatin

Eloxatin

Yes, in 2004.

Stage 3 or metastatic colorectal cancer.

*All dosages indicated here are specific to colorectal cancer treatment.

Oxaliplatin is administered intravenously.

Dosage is dependent on drug combination in the treatment regimen and is based on the patient’s body surface area (milligram per square meter, mg/m²).

Oxaliplatin is typically administered in combination with fluorouracil and folinic acid. The combination may sometimes be referred to as FOLFOX (Folinic Acid (FOL) + Fluorouracil (F) + Oxaliplatin (OX)).

The oxaliplatin dosage for different treatment regimens are as follows.

Stage 3 colorectal cancer: 85 mg/m² every 2 weeks via infusion over 2-6 hours. This is done over 12 cycles, and the dosage may be reduced to 75 mg/m² depending on tolerability.

Metastatic colorectal cancer: 85 mg/m² every 2 weeks via infusion over 2-6 hours. This is done over 12 cycles, and the dosage may be reduced to 65 mg/m² depending on tolerability.

Oxaliplatin is contraindicated in patients who:

• Display hypersensitivity to oxaliplatin and other platinum based agents like cisplatin and carboplatin; reactions may include anaphylaxis (allergic reaction)
• Have bone marrow suppression
• Experience peripheral sensory neuropathy with functional impairment
• Have impaired renal function

Patients may experience adverse side effects from oxaliplatin use, including:

• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Peripheral sensory neuropathy
• Severe bone marrow suppression
• Hemorrhage

Less severe but more common side effects including those listed below may occur:

• Numbness, pain, tingling, and/or burning along the nerves
• Low white blood cells
• Low platelet count
• Low red blood cells
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Changes in liver function tests
• Tiredness
• Mouth sores

Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug.

Oxaliplatin is an antineoplastic drug that works by forming covalent bonds with DNA and inhibiting DNA replication and transcription. These are essential processes for cell function, and the inhibition leads to cell death.

Oxaliplatin forms intrastrand and interstrand crosslinks with DNA, which interfere with the normal functioning of the DNA helix. These crosslinks prevent DNA from being unwound and replicated, leading to DNA damage and ultimately cell death.