Side Effects of Carboplatin

Carboplatin is less chemically reactive than cisplatin, which is why it is less toxic to the kidneys and nervous system. The downside is that the lower reactivity means a higher concentration is needed to fight the cancer, and bigger doses of the drug. It is estimated that carboplatin is 8 to 45 times less effective than cisplatin.

The most troubling effect of carboplatin tends to be damage to the bone marrow, in a process called myelosuppression. This leads to anemia. Blood cells produced by the marrow can drop to 10% of normal levels. This level bottoms out a few weeks after carboplatin administration.

Other reported side effects:

• loss of appetite or weight
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• constipation
• peripheral neuropathy
• nausea and vomiting
• changes in vision and taste
• mouth blistering
• fatigue
  

These are common side effects of many chemotherapy drugs, especially the alkylating agents. Carboplatin also is known to damage the kidneys (it is nephrotoxic) and the inner ear (in a process called ototoxicity.)