What is Carboplatin: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Carboplatin overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • CARBOplatin N+ Novaplus, PremierPro Rx CARBOplatin, CARBOplatin Novaplus, Paraplatin

Generic Names:

  • Carboplatin

Uses:

  • Treats cancer, including cancer of the ovaries, head, and neck. Sometimes used in combination with other medicines.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antineoplastic Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Carboplatin used for?

Carboplatin is a cancer medication that works by interfering with with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. It is used to treat ovarian cancer

What form(s) does Carboplatin come in

  • Injectable

What are common Carboplatin doses?

  • Vial 5ML of 50MG/5ML

  • Vial 15ML of 150MG/15ML

  • Vial 45ML of 450MG/45ML

  • Vial 60ML of 600MG/60ML

Common Carboplatin prescriptions

  • CARBOplatin
    15ml of 150mg/15ml vial

  • CARBOplatin
    45ml of 450mg/45ml vial

  • CARBOplatin
    5ml of 50mg/5ml vial

  • CARBOplatin
    60ml of 600mg/60ml vial

How to take Carboplatin

  • Oral routeYou may also receive medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

  • Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

  • Oral routeYou may also receive medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting.

  • Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Carboplatin

Carboplatin contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to carboplatin, mannitol, or platinum, or if you are pregnant or have bone marrow or bleeding problems.

Carboplatin warnings

  • Injection routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, hearing problems, or an infection of any kind. Tell your doctor if you have been around anyone who has chickenpox or any other infections. Stay away from anyone who has recently received an oral polio vaccine.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

  • Redness, pain, or swelling where the IV needle is placed

  • Ringing in your ears or trouble hearing

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Carboplatin interactions

  • Talk to your doctor before you get a flu shot or other vaccine while you are receiving carboplatin.

  • Some medicines can affect how carboplatin works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other cancer medicines, or if you took cancer medicines in the past (especially cisplatin or other platinum medicines).

  • Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

Carboplatin side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Changes in vision

  • Redness, pain, or swelling where the IV needle is placed

  • Ringing in your ears or trouble hearing

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Bloody or black, tarry stools, or blood in your urine

  • Fever, chills, or cough

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Hair loss

  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite