Sanofi Oncology

Handout 3: How ELOXATIN (oxaliplatin injection) Treatment Is Given

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

You are about to begin your treatment with ELOXATIN (oxaliplatin injection), a chemotherapy drug. ELOXATIN (oxaliplatin injection) is given together with 2 other drugs: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin. This combination is given to treat adults with stage III colon cancer after surgery to remove the tumor, or to treat adults with advanced colorectal cancer.1

  • Your treatment will be given through one of your veins. This is called an intravenous, or IV, infusion1,2
  • Before your first treatment, your doctor may insert a soft, flexible tube into a large vein and attach a port
    • A port is a tiny disk with an opening, completely hidden under your skin, that will remain in place during the course of your treatment2
  • Every time you receive a treatment, the IV will be inserted into that port
    • This means fewer needle sticks
    • It also helps protect your skin from direct exposure to the chemotherapy
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ELOXATIN (oxaliplatin injection) along with two other anti-cancer medicines, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (5-FU/LV), is given every 2 weeks. This is called a cycle of treatment. Your doctor will determine the best approach to your treatment.1

ELOXATIN is a medicine which contains platinum. You should know that ELOXATIN can cause serious allergic reactions and that death can occur in people who get severe allergic reactions while taking platinum medicines.

Get emergency help right away if you:

  • suddenly have trouble breathing
  • feel like your throat is closing up

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.

What happens during your 14-day treatment cycle?

DAY 1
You will be given ELOXATIN (oxaliplatin injection) and leucovorin by IV infusion over a 2-hour period. After that, you will receive 2 doses of 5-FU. The first dose is given by IV infusion as soon as the leucovorin infusion is over. The second dose is given as a steady, slow drip over the next 22 hours, using a pump device.1,2
DAY 2
You will not be given ELOXATIN (oxaliplatin injection) on Day 2. That day you will receive an IV infusion of leucovorin for 2 hours. After that, you will receive 2 doses of 5-FU. The first dose is given by IV infusion as soon as the leucovorin infusion is over. The second dose is given as a steady, slow drip over the next 22 hours, using a pump device.1,2
DAY 3
Your pump device will be disconnected.1
DAY 4-14
No treatments or procedures are scheduled.1

If you have questions about how your treatment is given, speak to your doctor or nurse.2

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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. ELOXATIN® (oxaliplatin injection) prescribing information, Sanofi US.
  2. 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.

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.
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