As with other drugs, oxaliplatin can cause side effects, such as nerve problems and vomiting. If side effects of oxaliplatin become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Oxaliplatin is a generic drug that’s prescribed for colon cancer that’s stage 3 or advanced (sometimes referred to as stage 4 or metastatic colorectal cancer).

Oxaliplatin comes as a solution for intravenous (IV) infusion. Oxaliplatin is based on the brand-name drug Eloxatin, but that drug is no longer available.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of oxaliplatin and how to reduce them.

Oxaliplatin has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Oxaliplatin: Boxed warnings” section.

Oxaliplatin can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took oxaliplatin in clinical trials:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Oxaliplatin: Managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects can occur with oxaliplatin use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with oxaliplatin include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Oxaliplatin: Managing side effects” section.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking oxaliplatin and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

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Oxaliplatin may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for oxaliplatin.

If you develop serious side effects while taking oxaliplatin, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Oxaliplatin: Managing side effects” section and “Oxaliplatin: Boxed warnings” section.

Oxaliplatin has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis

Some people may have an allergic reaction while receiving an infusion of oxaliplatin. This was an uncommon side effect in the drug’s studies. Allergic reactions can be mild to severe. In rare cases, a severe, life threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can occur.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include skin rash, itchiness, and flushing. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to oxaliplatin or other platinum drugs in the past, doctors typically will not prescribe oxaliplatin for you.

What you can do

While you’re receiving oxaliplatin infusions, a healthcare professional will watch for symptoms of an allergic reaction. Be sure to tell them right away if you have any symptoms, because the reaction could become severe or life threatening within minutes.

If you have an allergic reaction, the healthcare professional will stop your infusion. They’ll also give you treatments to stop the reaction and ease your symptoms. Your doctor will likely switch you to a medication other than oxaliplatin.

If you experience mild symptoms of this side effect after you’ve left the infusion center or facility, talk with your doctor right away. If you have symptoms that feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

While taking oxaliplatin, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or if they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for how to reduce side effects of oxaliplatin or recommend other available treatment options.

Peripheral sensory neuropathy

Peripheral sensory neuropathy was a common side effect reported in studies of oxaliplatin. Sensory neuropathy is a type of nerve problem that affects the sensations of temperature, pain, and touch. This side effect may happen after your first oxaliplatin infusion or develop later in treatment.

Symptoms may include:

  • pain, numbness, and tingling, or “pins and needles” sensations
  • inability to feel temperature changes such as a hot pan or shower
  • reduced ability to feel pain from a bump, cut, or sore
  • reduced sensation of touch
  • reduced or slow reflexes
  • reduced balance and coordination, which increases the risk of falls

Nerve problems may be temporary or last for a long time. They may improve after you stop receiving oxaliplatin infusions.

Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of this side effect. They may prescribe certain medications to help ease your symptoms. If symptoms become difficult to manage, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether to change your treatment plan.

Steps you can take at home to manage the risks associated with sensory neuropathy include:

  • removing rugs and installing grab bars to help prevent falls
  • wearing well-fitting shoes to protect your feet
  • taking extra care in the kitchen or bathroom to help prevent burns
  • avoiding the outdoors on very cold or hot days

Vomiting

Vomiting was one of the most common side effects reported by people who received oxaliplatin in studies. The drug can also cause nausea. You may experience nausea and vomiting within as little as 24 hours after your infusion. It may also take up to 5 days to occur, according to an older study. Your symptoms should begin to resolve once you stop receiving oxaliplatin.

If vomiting persists or becomes severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you manage this side effect, including by prescribing medications called antiemetics. Steps you can take to manage and possibly help prevent nausea and vomiting from oxaliplatin include:

  • getting fresh air
  • sipping cool drinks, such as water or lightly sweetened juice
  • eating small, frequent meals
  • eating foods that contain ginger
  • avoiding greasy or strong-smelling foods, which may upset your stomach

Mouth sores

Treatment with oxaliplatin may cause stomatitis, which is inflammation inside your mouth and throat. This was a common side effect reported in studies of the drug.

Symptoms may include:

  • painful sores (ulcers) inside your mouth or throat or on your tongue or lips
  • swelling
  • blisters

Mouth and throat sores can make it painful to chew and swallow or even to talk.

If you have symptoms of this side effect, tell your doctor right away so they can help you manage them. For example, your doctor may prescribe a medicated mouthwash or a numbing gel to dull the pain.

Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • choosing softer foods instead of ones that need more chewing
  • rinsing your mouth with salt water several times each day
  • using a toothbrush with soft bristles
  • avoiding foods that are cold, hot, spicy, or acidic
  • taking over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Oxaliplatin may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Will I lose my hair on oxaliplatin?

It’s possible. Oxaliplatin is used with other chemotherapy drugs to treat stage 3 and stage 4 colon cancer. These drugs include fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin. Hair loss is a common side effect of these chemotherapy drugs.

In clinical trials, the addition of oxaliplatin to 5-FU and leucovorin treatment caused a slight increase in the number of participants reporting hair loss. This is compared with participants who did not receive oxaliplatin.

Talk with your doctor if you have hair loss that bothers you. They may suggest a treatment for this side effect.

What foods should I avoid when taking oxaliplatin?

Some people may want to avoid greasy or spicy foods during treatment with oxaliplatin. This is because the drug commonly causes nausea and vomiting, and these foods may worsen these side effects.

Oxaliplatin treatment can also cause certain nerve problems as a side effect. If you experience this side effect, you might have difficulty sensing temperature, so your doctor might recommend avoiding very hot or cold foods and drinks, including liquids with ice cubes.

To learn more about these side effects, see the “Oxaliplatin: Managing side effects” section. If you have questions about what foods to avoid when receiving oxaliplatin, talk with your doctor for more information.

Take note of the following important information before starting oxaliplatin.

Oxaliplatin has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the ”Oxaliplatin: Boxed warnings” section.

Other precautions

Before taking oxaliplatin, discuss your health history with your doctor. Oxaliplatin may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

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.