Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain adults with colon or colorectal cancer. Eloxatin comes as an intravenous (IV) infusion that’s typically given by a healthcare professional once every 2 weeks.

Eloxatin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:

Eloxatin belongs to a drug class called platinum-based chemotherapy drugs. Eloxatin is available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Eloxatin, including its strength and how you’ll receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Eloxatin, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Eloxatin provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Eloxatin dosage that’s right for you.

The information below describes Eloxatin’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.

Eloxatin form

Eloxatin comes as a solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It’s always given by a healthcare professional.

Eloxatin strength

Eloxatin comes in one strength of 5 milligrams per milliliter of solution (mg/mL). It’s available in a vial containing either 50 mg or 100 mg of medication. Your healthcare professional will choose the vial that’s best for you.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. However, your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for colon cancer

Doctors may prescribe Eloxatin to treat stage 3 colon cancer if the tumor has been surgically removed. You’ll take this medication along with fluorouracil (Efudex) and leucovorin (Fusilev). Your doctor will calculate your dosage of Eloxitan based on your body surface area (BSA). This calculation involves using your height and weight.

If your doctor prescribes Eloxatin for your colon cancer, your dose will be 85 milligrams per square meter (mg/m2). For example, if your calculated BSA is 1.8 m2, your dose of Eloxatin will be 153 mg. Typically, you’ll receive this dose once every 2 weeks.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for colorectal cancer

Eloxatin is also approved to help treat advanced colorectal cancer.

You’ll take Eloxatin along with fluorouracil (Efudex) and leucovorin (Fusilev) to treat your colorectal cancer. Your doctor will calculate your dose of Eloxitan based on your body surface area (BSA). This calculation involves using your height and weight.

If your doctor prescribes Eloxatin for your colon cancer, your dose will be 85 milligrams per square meter (mg/m2). For example, if your calculated BSA is 1.8 m2, your dose of Eloxatin will be 153 mg. Typically, you’ll receive this dose once every 2 weeks.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Long-term treatment

Eloxatin is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you’re using Eloxitan for colon cancer, your doctor will recommend that you receive the drug for up to 12 cycles (6 months) or until the drug causes severe side effects. If you’re taking Eloxitan for colorectal cancer, you’ll continue receiving Eloxitan until your cancer worsens or you experience severe side effects. Before you start treatment with Eloxitan, you and your doctor will determine how long you’ll use Eloxitan and the best treatment plan for you.

The Eloxatin dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your body weight
  • your height
  • side effects you may have with Eloxatin
  • your kidney function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Eloxatin dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage of Eloxitan if you have kidney disease. Kidney disease may cause the drug to build up in your body and increase the risk of possible side effects or worsen them.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the intravenous (IV) infusion of Eloxatin. You’ll get your dose of Eloxatin on day 1 of each 14-day chemotherapy cycle. You’ll also get a dose of leucovorin (Fusilev) at the same time (in separate IV bags), along with a dose of fluorouracil (Efudex).

Then, on day 2 of your chemotherapy cycle, you’ll receive another dose of leucovorin (Fusilev), along with a dose of fluorouracil (Efudex). You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, an infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion. The infusion takes about 2 hours.

If you have questions about how to use Eloxatin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss your appointment for an Eloxatin infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.

If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not stop going to appointments to receive Eloxatin unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so. If you have questions about your treatment, talk with your doctor.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Eloxatin.

Is the dosage of Eloxatin similar to the dosage of Xeloda?

No, the forms and how often you take each drug are very different. Both Eloxatin and capecitabine (Xeloda) are drugs that can be used to manage colon or colorectal cancer. But Eloxitan is given by intravenous (IV) infusion once every 14 days. This drug must be given by a healthcare professional. In contrast, Xeloda is a tablet that you’ll take by mouth twice daily for the first 14 days of a 21-day cycle.

Although both drugs are dosed based on BSA, the dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Eloxatin to start working?

Eloxatin will start to work as soon as you receive your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Eloxatin treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Eloxatin for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Eloxatin without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Eloxatin that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Eloxatin. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Eloxatin: For information about other aspects of Eloxatin, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about side effects of Eloxatin, see the Eloxatin prescribing information.
  • Details about your condition: For details about colon or colorectal cancer, see our cancer hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.