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Carboplatin Coupon - Carboplatin 15ml of 10mg/ml vial

carboplatin

Generic Paraplatin
Used for Ovarian Cancer
Used for Ovarian Cancer

Carboplatin (Paraplatin) is an anticancer medication that’s a preferred option for treating certain types of ovarian cancer. It’s also commonly used off-label for many other types of cancers. Carboplatin (Paraplatin) can be used by itself or together with other anticancer medications. Carboplatin (Paraplatin) is given as an injection through the vein, typically at an infusion center or clinic, so you don’t need to be hospitalized for each infusion. But the medication can raise your risk for infections, bleeding, and significant nausea and vomiting.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Jenny Zhang, PharmD, BCOP
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on July 24, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Carboplatin (Paraplatin)?

What is Carboplatin (Paraplatin) used for?

  • Advanced ovarian cancer

How Carboplatin (Paraplatin) works

Carboplatin (Paraplatin) is a type of anticancer medication called an alkylating agent. It’s also called platinum-based chemotherapy because it contains the metal platinum. It works by damaging the cancer cells’ genetic material (DNA), which leads to cell death.

Are you looking for information on cisplatin or oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsParaplatin
Drug ClassAlkylating agent
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Carboplatin (Paraplatin)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Abnormal blood cell counts (up to 98%)
  • Nausea and vomiting (82-94%)
  • Pain (36-54%)
  • Hair loss (43-50%)*
  • Other stomach issues (40-50%)
  • Weakness (40-43%)
Hair loss might not be from carboplatin (Paraplatin) alone, since some studies included people taking carboplatin (Paraplatin) with other anticancer medications.

Other Side Effects

  • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • Changes in hearing (ringing in the ears, hearing loss)
  • Mouth sores
  • Liver problems

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Infections: repeated fevers, chills, cough, trouble breathing, severe diarrhea, vomiting, painful or frequent urination
  • Serious bleeds: bleeding or bruising that doesn’t stop or go away, large amount of bleeding, blood in the urine, throwing up blood, bloody or black and tarry stool

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Pain at place of injection

Less common

Black, tarry stools

blood in urine or stools

cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills

fever or chills

lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills

numbness or tingling in fingers or toes

painful or difficult urination, accompanied by fever or chills

pinpoint red spots on skin

skin rash or itching

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Blurred vision

ringing in ears

sores in mouth and on lips

wheezing

Some side effects 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:

More common

Nausea and vomiting

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Constipation or diarrhea

loss of appetite

This medicine may cause a temporary loss of hair in some people. After treatment with carboplatin has ended, normal hair growth should return.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

thumbs-up

Pros

Recommended treatment option for certain types of ovarian cancer

Short infusion times (typically 30 to 60 minutes)

Less risk of nerve problems than cisplatin

thumbs-down

Cons

Commonly causes nausea and vomiting

Raises your risk for infections, bleeding, or bruising

Requires visits to the infusion center to receive each dose

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

pharmacist

  • You’ll need to get blood work done regularly while you take carboplatin (Paraplatin). This medication can lower your blood cell counts and put you at higher risk for developing an infection or bleeding. Follow the lab schedule your care team gives you so they can check your blood cell counts. Contact your provider if you develop a fever (this can be a sign of infection).

    • It’s usually easier to prevent nausea and vomiting than it is to treat it when it happens. Take your anti-nausea medications as directed, and continue to take them as needed to help with your symptoms. Let your healthcare team know if you can’t eat or drink as you normally would because of nausea or vomiting. They can help you better manage your symptoms.

      • You might experience hair loss when you’re being treated with carboplatin (Paraplatin). If you’re concerned about hair loss, talk with your provider about how to minimize this side effect.

        • Before getting any vaccines during or after treatment with carboplatin (Paraplatin), it's important to check with your provider first. Carboplatin (Paraplatin) can weaken your immune system, which can affect how well certain vaccines will work or how safe they are for you.

          • Let your provider know if you’re also taking antibiotics like tobramycin and gentamicin (Gentak). Carboplatin (Paraplatin) can cause kidney or hearing problems if you’re also receiving treatment with these types of antibiotics, so your provider will want to follow up with you more closely for these side effects.

            • If you’re a woman who can get pregnant, use birth control while receiving carboplatin (Paraplatin). This medication might cause harm to an unborn baby. Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

              What other cancers can carboplatin (Paraplatin) be used for?
              Carboplatin (Paraplatin) is only approved by the FDA to treat certain types of ovarian cancers. But according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, it can be used off-label to treat many other types of cancers. These other cancers can include certain breast cancers, head and neck cancers, small cell and non-small cell lung cancers, and stomach cancers. In these cases, the NCCN recommendations are based on strong evidence from clinical trials that support the clinical benefit and safety of using carboplatin (Paraplatin) off-label. Talk with your provider about whether carboplatin (Paraplatin) can be used to treat your cancer.
              What’s the difference between carboplatin (Paraplatin) and cisplatin?
              Carboplatin (Paraplatin) and cisplatin are both platinum-based chemotherapy medications (they contain the metal platinum). But they differ in their side effect profiles. Carboplatin (Paraplatin) is more likely to lower your blood counts than cisplatin. This puts you at a higher risk for infections, bleeding or bruising, and potentially needing blood transfusions. But cisplatin is more likely to cause kidney problems, hearing loss, and numbness or tingling of the hands and feet (nerve problems). Both can cause significant nausea and vomiting, but slightly more with cisplatin.
              How long does the carboplatin (Paraplatin) infusion take?
              The infusion time for carboplatin (Paraplatin) will vary from person to person depending on your treatment regimen and your carboplatin (Paraplatin) dose. In general, it’s given as an injection into the vein over at least 15 minutes, but typically 30 to 60 minutes. Ask your healthcare team how long they expect each of your carboplatin (Paraplatin) infusions will take for your specific cancer treatment.
              How can I lower my chances of developing an infection while receiving carboplatin (Paraplatin)?
              Washing your hands often is one of the easiest ways to lower your chances of developing an infection while you’re receiving carboplatin (Paraplatin) treatment. You should also avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Be sure to wash raw fruits and vegetables before eating and cook foods thoroughly to lower your risk for food-borne illnesses. Remember to follow these tips because carboplatin (Paraplatin) will lower your blood cell counts, weaken your immune system, and make you more likely to develop a serious infection. Let your provider know right away if you have any signs of an infection, such as fever, tiredness, or chills.
              What can I do to help with the nausea and vomiting from carboplatin (Paraplatin)?
              Let your provider know if you feel very nauseous or vomit while you take carboplatin (Paraplatin). They can suggest ways to help you manage these side effects both with and without medications. Your provider will prescribe anti-nausea medications while you’re getting treated for your cancer. It’s easier to prevent nausea and vomiting than it is to treat it when it happens. So it’s important to follow the directions your provider gives you on how to take the anti-nausea medications. Continue to take them as needed to help with your symptoms. Aside from medications, you can also try drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated; eating smaller, more frequent meals; and avoiding strong smells. Your provider might also recommend alternative strategies, such as acupuncture, hypnosis, or other relaxation techniques.
              Is carboplatin (Paraplatin) safe if I have kidney problems?
              Your provider will choose an appropriate carboplatin (Paraplatin) dose for you depending on your kidney function. If you have kidney problems, your body can have a harder time getting rid of carboplatin (Paraplatin) from your body through the urine. This can cause the medication to build up in the body and raise your risk for side effects, such as infections and bleeding or bruising. Let your provider know if you have problems with your kidneys. You’ll need to be monitored more closely and will probably receive a lower dose of carboplatin (Paraplatin) to lower your risk of toxicity.
              Is carboplatin (Paraplatin) safe while breastfeeding?
              Breastfeeding isn’t recommended while receiving carboplatin (Paraplatin). We don’t know whether carboplatin (Paraplatin) can pass into human breast milk. But if it does, there’s a risk that the medication can cause serious harm to nursing babies. Talk to your provider if you have any questions about other ways to feed your baby while receiving carboplatin (Paraplatin).
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              What are the risks and warnings for Carboplatin (Paraplatin)?

              Carboplatin (Paraplatin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Must be given by a trained healthcare provider

              Carboplatin (Paraplatin) must be given by or under the supervision of a healthcare provider who's trained in caring for people taking chemotherapy medications. Because of its serious risks, you must receive treatment at a clinic, hospital, or care facility that’s able to closely check for side effects and give you proper medical care, if needed.

              risk-warning

              Low blood cell counts

              • Risk factors: Higher doses of carboplatin (Paraplatin) | Having received previous cancer treatment, especially with cisplatin | Kidney problems | Taking other medications that can lower blood cell counts

                Carboplatin (Paraplatin) can cause your red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts to drop. When the number of these cells are lower than normal, you’re at risk of developing anemia, infections, and bleeding or bruising. In some cases, your blood cell counts might be low for a while. This is because your chemotherapy medications can weaken your bone marrow and affect its ability to make new blood cells like normal.

                Your provider will closely check your blood counts through routine lab work when you’re getting carboplatin (Paraplatin). Let your provider know as soon as possible if you experience extreme tiredness, rapid breathing, fevers, chills, or bleeding and bruising that doesn’t stop or go away. These can be signs that your blood cell counts are low.

                risk-warning

                Nausea and vomiting

                • Risk factors: Previous treatment with other chemotherapy known to cause nausea and vomiting

                  Carboplatin (Paraplatin) is known to cause significant nausea and vomiting, which can sometimes be severe. Usually, the nausea and vomiting can start a few hours after your infusion and last up to 3 days. To try and prevent nausea and vomiting before it happens, you’ll be given anti-nausea medications before and after your infusion. Make sure you follow your provider’s instructions on how to take your anti-nausea medications when you get home.

                  risk-warning

                  Allergic reactions

                  • Risk factors: Previous treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy

                    Carboplatin (Paraplatin) can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to a similar anticancer medication called cisplatin or oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) before, let your provider know so they can watch you more closely when you’re starting carboplatin (Paraplatin). Contact your provider or get medical help right away if you experience any throat tightness, trouble breathing, face swelling, fever, chills, hives, flushing, chest pain, fast heartbeat, or dizziness.

                    risk-warning

                    Nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy)

                    • Risk factors: People over 65 years of age | Previous treatment with cisplatin

                      While rare, carboplatin (Paraplatin) can cause new or worsening nerve problems in your arms, hands, legs, and feet (peripheral neuropathy). Let your provider know if you experience numbness, pain, burning, a feeling of "pins and needles,” tremors, problems with balance, or weakness in your arms or legs.

                      risk-warning

                      Harm to unborn baby

                      Based on animal studies, carboplatin (Paraplatin) might be harmful to an unborn baby. Because of this risk, if you can get pregnant, you should use birth control during treatment with carboplatin (Paraplatin) to prevent pregnancy. Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant while you’re getting treated with carboplatin (Paraplatin).

                      dosage

                      Carboplatin (Paraplatin) dosage forms

                      The average cost for 2 vials of 15ml of 10mg/ml of Carboplatin (Paraplatin) is $18.79 with a free GoodRx coupon.0
                      vial
                      Vial
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      5ml of 10mg/ml10 vials$34.12$3.41
                      15ml of 10mg/ml2 vials$18.79$9.39
                      45ml of 10mg/ml1 vial$26.60$26.60
                      60ml of 10mg/ml1 vial$22.91$22.91

                      Typical dosing for Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

                      Your dose and infusion schedule depends on the type of cancer you have. It can also differ if you’re getting carboplatin (Paraplatin) by itself or with other anticancer medications. In most cases, the dosing is based on your body weight, height, and kidney function. Your provider will discuss your treatment plan with you.

                      interactions

                      Interactions between Carboplatin (Paraplatin) and other drugs

                      Carboplatin (Paraplatin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Carboplatin (Paraplatin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                      How much does Carboplatin (Paraplatin) cost?

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                      contraindications-icon

                      Carboplatin (Paraplatin) contraindications

                      Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Carboplatin (Paraplatin) will not be safe for you to take.
                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Carboplatin (Paraplatin)?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Carboplatin (Paraplatin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
                      Used for:

                      • Advanced ovarian cancer

                      $18.79 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Cisplatin
                      Used for:

                      • Advanced testicular cancer

                      • Advanced ovarian cancer

                      • Advanced bladder cancer

                      View Prices
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                      What is the latest news about Carboplatin (Paraplatin)?

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                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      Akin, J. M., et al. (2014). Paclitaxel and carboplatin (TC) regimen for ovarian cancer. Hospital Pharmacy.

                      American Cancer Society. (2015). Off-label use of drugs.

                      American Cancer Society. (2018). What is ovarian cancer?

                      View All References (21)

                      American Cancer Society. (2020). Low platelet count (bleeding).

                      American Cancer Society. (2023). Kinds of blood product transfusions.

                      American Cancer Society. (2023). Low red blood cell counts (anemia).

                      American Cancer Society. (2023). Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia).

                      American Cancer Society. (2023). Vaccinations and flu shots for people with cancer.

                      Bestul, D.J., et al. (2012). Tolerability of carboplatin when using rounded serum creatinine values. Journal of Hematology Oncology Pharmacy.

                      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). What you need to know: Neutropenia and risk for infection.

                      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Preventing infections in cancer patients.

                      Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC. (2023). Carboplatin injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Alkylating agent.

                      National Cancer Institute. (2022). Nausea and vomiting.

                      National Cancer Institute. (2023). Nausea and vomiting related to cancer treatment (PDQ®)–Health professional version.

                      National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2022). Small cell lung cancer.

                      National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2023). Invasive breast cancer.

                      National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2023). Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

                      National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2023). Ovarian cancer.

                      National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2023). Stomach cancer.

                      National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2024). Nasopharyngeal cancer.

                      Santana-Davila, R., et al. (2014). Cisplatin versus carboplatin-based regimens for the treatment of patients with metastatic lung cancer. An analysis of Veterans Health Administration data. Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

                      Waqar, S. N., et al. (2016). Delayed nausea and vomiting from carboplatin doublet chemotherapy. Acta Oncologica.

                      Zarkavelis, G., et al. (2023). Off-label despite high-level evidence: A clinical practice review of commonly used off-patent cancer medicines. European Society for Medical Oncology Open.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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