Paraplatin®, CBDCA (There may be other names for this medication.)
How is it Administered?
Carboplatin is usually given by infusion into a vein (intravenous or IV injection). Sometimes, it is placed directly into the peritoneal cavity in your abdomen (intra-peritoneal therapy).
What is it Used For?
How Does it Work?
Cancers are diseases in which abnormal cells reproduce uncontrollably. Your chemo schedule is based upon:
- your cancer type and how fast the cancer cells reproduce
- the phase of the cell cycle when the chemo is most effective — the resting, growing, or reproduction phases
With these factors in mind, your doctors create a chemo schedule to give each medication when it will do the most damage to the cancer cells.
Carboplatin is in a class of drugs known as platinum-containing compounds (metal salt). It is an alkylating agent. It works against cancer cells in the “resting phase” and slows or stops the cells growth.
Many chemo medications identify and attack cancer cells because they reproduce quickly. Some cells in your body normally reproduce quickly and are more likely to be damaged/destroyed by chemo. These normal cells will eventually grow back and be healthy. During treatment, however, you may experience side effects. (See sections on side effects and how to manage them.)