Cytocarb

Introduction
Cytocarb is used in the treatment of ovarian cancer and small cell lung cancer. It shows its working by stopping or slowing down the growth of cancer cells. Cytocarb is given as an injection into veins under the supervision of a doctor. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and increased liver enzyme are some common side effects of this medicine. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections or bleeding. Inform your doctor if you notice fever, sore throat, chills, unusual bleeding or bruising, and dark urine. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with heart, liver, and blood uric acid levels. You must inform your doctor if you experience allergic reactions with injection such as skin rash, itching, and trouble breathing. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.

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Uses of Cytocarb
Ovarian cancer
Small cell lung cancer
Side effects of Cytocarb
Common
Nausea
Vomiting
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Fatigue
Low blood platelets
Increased liver enzymes
Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)
Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
Peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness of feet and hand)
Diarrhea
How to use Cytocarb
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Cytocarb works
Cytocarb is an anti-cancer medication. It works by damaging the genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells which stops their growth and multiplication.
What if you forget to take Cytocarb?
If you miss a dose of Cytocarb, please consult your doctor.
Quick Tips
It is given as an injection into the veins under the supervision of a doctor.
Brief Description
Indication
Ovarian carcinoma, Lung cancer
Administration
IV Preparation Single-dose lyophilized powder (reconstitution require) Reconstitute powder with sterile water for injection, D5W, or 0.9% NaCl to yield a final concentration of 10 mg/mL Can be further diluted to concentrations as low as 0.5 mg/mL with D5W or 0.9% NaCl Multidose premixed injectable solution Available as a 10 mg/mL aqueous solution Can be further diluted to concentrations as low as 0.5 mg/mL with D5W or 0.9% NaCl IV Administration Administer IV over 15 min or continuous IV infusion over 24 hr May also be administered intraperitoneally When administered as sequential infusions, taxane derivatives (docetaxel, paclitaxel) should be administered before platinum derivatives to limit myelosuppression and to enhance efficacy Do not use aluminum-containing needles or IV administration sets that may come in contact with carboplatin (aluminum can cause precipitate formation and loss of potency)

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Adult Dose
Intravenous Small cell lung cancer; Advanced ovarian carcinoma Adult: IV As single agent in treatment-naive patients: 400 mg/m2; As single agent in previously treated patients: 360 mg/m2; W/ cyclophosphamide in treatment-naive patients: 300 mg/m2. Doses to be given not more frequently than every 4 wk. Adjust subsequent doses based on nadir of WBC and platelet counts. Hepatic Impairment Dose adjustment may not be necessary; not studied

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Child Dose
Solid tumor 300-600 mg/m² IV q4Weeks Sarcoma (bone/soft tissue) 400 mg/m²/day for 2 days every 21 days Brain tumor 175 mg/m² qWeek x 4 weeks with a 2 weeks recovery period between courses Bone marrow transplant preparative regimen 500 mg/m²/day x 3 days Retinoblastoma 1-2 mL subconjunctival injection of 10 mg/mL solution per dose

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Renal Dose
Renal impairment: CrCl (ml/min) >40 Recommended dose: 400 mg/m2. 20-39 Recommended dose: 250 mg/m2.

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Contraindication
Previous allergy; pregnancy, lactation; allergy to other platinum compounds; severe bone marrow depression; significant bleeding, aluminium containing needles and IV sets.
Mode of Action
Carboplatin is an alkylating agent which binds covalently to DNA. It modifies the cell cycle by interfering with DNA structure and function.
Precaution
Neonates; diminished renal function; neurotoxicity; liver function impairment. Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk; do not nurse

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Side Effect
>10% Leukopenia (26-97%),Neutropenia (21-96%),Nausea (81-93%),Vomiting (81-93%),Anemia (14-90%),Magnesium loss (43-61%),Thrombocytopenia (33-66%),Alopecia (2-49%),Asthenia (11-41%),Elevated alkaline phosphatase (29-37%),Central neurotoxicity (5-26%),Elevated AST (19-20%),Peripheral neuropathy (6-15%) 1-10% Immune hypersensitivity reaction (2-9.2%),Elevated bilirubin (5%) Frequency Not Defined Visual disturbance (rare) Potentially Fatal: Bone marrow suppression and anaphylactic reactions.

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Pregnancy Category Note
Pregnancy Category: D Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk; do not nurse

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Interaction
Increased risk of ototoxicity when used with aminoglycosides.