Brand Name(s)
Kyxata; Paraplatin (discontinued in the U.S.)
Warning(s)
Carboplatin can lower your blood cell counts. This raises your risk of infection, anemia, and bleeding. Your care team will check your blood often. Call your doctor right away if you have fever, chills, unusual bruising, or bleeding.
Throwing up and nausea are common. You may receive medicines to help prevent this.
Allergic or infusion reactions can happen, sometimes within minutes of starting the drug. Tell your nurse right away if you have rash, hives, itching, flushing, chest tightness, trouble breathing, wheezing, dizziness, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Call your doctor right away for: signs of infection (fever, very sore throat, cough), signs of bleeding (black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, blood in urine), severe tiredness or pale skin, ringing in the ears or hearing loss, severe numbness or tingling, eye changes or vision loss, very little urine, yellow skin or eyes, or severe belly pain.
- If the IV site becomes red, painful, swollen, blistered, or leaks, tell your nurse immediately. Tissue damage can occur if the drug leaks outside the vein.
- Tell all your health care providers that you receive carboplatin. This includes doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists.
- Talk to your doctor before getting any vaccines. Some vaccines may not work as well or may raise your chance of infection during treatment.
- You may bleed more easily. Be careful to avoid injury. Using a soft toothbrush and an electric razor can help lower bleeding risk.
- Monitoring is important. You may have regular blood tests, kidney and liver tests, and hearing checks.
- Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take. Some drugs can interact with carboplatin.
- Pregnancy: This drug can harm an unborn baby. You will have a pregnancy test before starting. Use birth control during treatment and for a period after the last dose (ask your doctor how long). If you become pregnant, call your doctor right away.
- Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed while on carboplatin. You may also need to avoid breastfeeding for at least 1 week after your last dose. Ask your doctor how long to wait.
- Older adults may have a higher risk of side effects. If used in children, some risks may also be higher; use with care.
- Tell your doctor if you have had allergic reactions to carboplatin, cisplatin, or any drugs, foods, or substances; if you have low blood counts, bone marrow problems, or bleeding problems.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer
- Lung cancer (non–small cell and small cell)
- Head and neck cancers
- Bladder cancer
- Endometrial and cervical cancers
- Testicular cancer
- Certain breast cancers
Your doctor may use carboplatin for other cancers based on your situation.
Mechanism of Action
Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy. It attaches to DNA inside cancer cells and forms cross-links. This blocks the cell’s ability to copy DNA and divide.
When cancer cells cannot repair this damage, they die. Carboplatin is usually given by IV infusion in cycles and is often combined with other chemotherapy drugs.
Common Side Effects
- Low white blood cells (higher infection risk), low red blood cells (tiredness, shortness of breath), and low platelets (easy bruising or bleeding)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling tired or weak
- Decreased appetite; taste changes
- Constipation or diarrhea; stomach pain
- Mouth irritation or sores
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Numbness or tingling in fingers or toes (peripheral neuropathy)
- Ringing in the ears or temporary hearing changes
- Changes in lab tests, including electrolytes, kidney, or liver tests
These are not all the side effects. Call your care team if symptoms do not get better or are severe, or if you notice anything that worries you.
Last reviewed: 2025-12-04
