Sanofi Oncology

Handout 8: Bruising and Bleeding

Partners in Teaching is a nursing tool for healthcare professionals to print out and hand to patients as an educational guide.

Eloxatin therapy can affect bone marrow, the soft tissue in the center of most large bones that produces platelets and red and white blood cells. ELOXATIN therapy can lower your ability to make enough platelets. Platelets make your blood clot, which stops bleeding. You can bruise or bleed easily if you don’t have enough platelets, even if you haven’t had an injury. Your doctor will check your platelet count often and may suggest treatment if needed.1,2

Here are some things you can do to help with bleeding1
medicine
  • Check with your doctor before taking any kind of medicine, vitamin, or pill. Some medications, like aspirin, can affect platelets
  • Be sure to ask your doctor before drinking any alcohol
  • Ask your doctor if you should avoid sexual activity
  • Use a very soft toothbrush
  • Very gently blow your nose using a very soft tissue
  • Try not to cut or nick yourself with any sharp items, and switch to an electric razor
  • Try to avoid burns when you’re around irons or stoves
  • Avoid activities that could cause an injury, like sports

Being very careful can help with bruising or bleeding problems caused by even ordinary activities when platelets are low. Let your doctor know of any bruising or bleeding right away.1

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Important Safety Information

Anaphylactic-like reactions to ELOXATIN have been reported and may occur within minutes of ELOXATIN administration. Epinephrine, corticosteroids, and antihistamines have been employed to alleviate symptoms.

  • Do not take ELOXATIN if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in ELOXATIN or other medicines that contain platinum. Tell your doctor right away if you feel like your throat is closing up, have shortness of breath, a flushed face, a rash, itching/hives, swelling of lips or tongue, sudden cough, dizziness, sweating or chest pain.
  • ELOXATIN can cause nerve problems. Tell your doctor right away if you become sensitive to cold temperatures and cold objects; have trouble breathing, swallowing or saying words; experience jaw tightness, odd feelings in your tongue, or chest pressure; pain; tingling or burning in your hands, feet or around your mouth or throat.
  • Tell your doctor if you develop a dry cough or have trouble breathing; these may be signs of serious lung disease.
  • ELOXATIN can cause liver problems (hepatotoxicity); your doctor will do blood tests to watch for this.
  • Because of the potential risk of fetal harm, pregnant women should not receive ELOXATIN. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant while receiving ELOXATIN.
  • ELOXATIN can cause a decrease in white blood cells, which can lead to infections. Tell your doctor right away if develop any of the following signs of infection: fever, chills, or shivering; cough that brings up mucus, burning or pain on urination, pain on swallowing; sore throat; or redness or swelling at injection site.
  • Other common side effects of ELOXATIN include a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tiredness.
  • Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of ELOXATIN. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Please click here for full prescribing information including boxed WARNING ».

References:

  1. National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services. Chemotherapy and You. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2003. NIH publication 03-1136.
  2. National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services. What You Need To Know About Cancer. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2006. NIH publication 06-1566.

WARNING: ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Anaphylactic-like reactions to ELOXATIN have been reported and may occur within minutes of ELOXATIN administration. Epinephrine, corticosteroids, and antihistamines have been employed to alleviate symptoms.
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INDICATIONS

ELOXATIN® (oxaliplatin injection), used in combination with infusional 5-FU/LV, is indicated for

  • Adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer patients who have undergone complete resection of the primary tumor.
  • Treatment of advanced carcinoma of the colon or rectum.
ELOXATIN Patient Management ELOXATIN Patient Management Access important ELOXATIN information to help you manage your patients. Addressing Neuropathy » PACT+ PACT+ Providing coverage, reimbursement support and patient assistance. Learn more »