Oxaliplatin
Oxaliplatin is a platinum-containing antineoplastic medicine used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to treat colon and rectal cancer. Oxaliplatin is used for Adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer and Treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.
Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.
- Generic name
- oxaliplatin
- Brand names
- Eloxatin, DBL Oxaliplatin, Oxaliplatin Accord, OXALIPLATIN BAXTER, Oxaliplatin Ebewe, Oxaliplatin Actavis
- Drug class
- Platinum-containing antineoplastic agent
- Form
- Concentrate for solution for infusion (single-dose vial)
- Route
- Intravenous infusion
- Legal status
- Prescription-only medicine
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: Canada · Australia · India · Nepal · New Zealand
Australia: Oxaliplatin Accord, OXALIPLATIN BAXTER · Full directory
What oxaliplatin is and how it works
Oxaliplatin is a platinum-containing antineoplastic medicine used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to treat colon and rectal cancer. It is given after surgery for stage III colon cancer to help prevent the cancer from returning, and it is also used for advanced colorectal cancer. (1) (2) (3)
Oxaliplatin is given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic, usually once every 2 weeks as part of a multi-drug infusion regimen. It is not a tablet and cannot be taken at home. It is not interchangeable with other platinum drugs and is only used for specific cancers under specialist supervision.
Mechanism of action: how oxaliplatin works
Oxaliplatin is a platinum‑containing antineoplastic medicine that kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA, leading to cell death. (2)
What is Oxaliplatin used for?
Adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer
Oxaliplatin, combined with infusional fluorouracil and leucovorin (folinic acid), is used after complete surgical removal of the primary tumor to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Treatment continues for up to 12 cycles or until unacceptable toxicity (US and Australian approved indication). (2) (3)
Treatment of advanced colorectal cancer
For colorectal cancer that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery, oxaliplatin is used with fluorouracil and leucovorin. Treatment usually continues until disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. (2) (3)
Before taking oxaliplatin
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not receive oxaliplatin if you have ever had a severe allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction to oxaliplatin or to any other platinum-based medicine (e.g. cisplatin, carboplatin). (all indications) (1) (2)
Tell your clinician about
- All prescription and over‑the‑counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and herbal products you take or plan to take.
- Any kidney disease or history of kidney problems.
- If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy (oxaliplatin can harm an unborn baby).
- If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed (you should not breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after the final dose).
- Any upcoming surgery, including dental surgery.
- Any signs of infection (fever, sore throat, persistent diarrhoea) or unusual bleeding or bruising.
- A history of heart rhythm problems or a prolonged QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG).
- If you are of childbearing potential, you and your partner must use effective contraception during treatment and for months after (9 months for women, 6 months for men).
Oxaliplatin dosage and how to take it
- Oxaliplatin is given as an intravenous (into a vein) infusion over 2 hours, usually once every 2 weeks, as part of a planned chemotherapy regimen that also includes fluorouracil and leucovorin.
- All doses are prepared and administered by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic; you cannot inject this medicine yourself.
- Do not change the schedule or swap appointments without speaking to your oncology team.
- The infusion time may be extended to 6 hours to reduce infusion‑related reactions – only your clinician can decide this.
- For 5 days after each oxaliplatin dose, avoid cold drinks, ice, cold air, freezers, air‑conditioning, and touching cold objects, because cold can trigger or worsen nerve symptoms.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3)
Missed dose
If you cannot attend a scheduled oxaliplatin infusion, call your oncology team immediately to reschedule. It is very important to keep the planned interval. Do not attempt to make up the missed dose yourself or receive a double dose.
Overdose
If you think you have received too much oxaliplatin or an infusion error has occurred, seek emergency medical help or call a poison control centre immediately. Overdose can cause life-threatening bone marrow suppression (very low platelets and anaemia), severe nerve damage (including laryngospasm, facial spasms), severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea, chest pain, slowed breathing or heartbeat, and death. Healthcare professionals will monitor you closely and provide supportive care. (1) (2)
Oxaliplatin side effects
Side effects can be serious; report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare team straight away. Oxaliplatin can cause severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) that may happen within minutes, even after you have had previous doses without problems.
Peripheral neuropathy (nerve symptoms)
What to notice: Numbness, burning, tingling, or pain in the fingers, toes, hands, feet, mouth or throat; increased sensitivity to cold; decreased sense of touch; trouble with fine tasks (writing, buttoning); jaw spasm, abnormal tongue sensation or difficulty speaking.
What to do: Avoid cold drinks, ice and exposing your skin to cold for 5 days after each infusion. Tell your oncologist immediately if you have difficulty walking, using your hands, or if symptoms persist; your dose may need to be changed or stopped. (1) (2)
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
What to notice: Feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, loss of appetite, heartburn, taste changes.
What to do: Take the anti‑sickness medicine your team has prescribed. Contact them if vomiting is severe, you cannot drink enough fluids, or diarrhoea is persistent or watery. (1)
Tiredness, mood changes, hair thinning, skin changes
What to notice: Feeling very tired, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, hair loss, dry skin, redness or peeling of the palms and soles (hand‑foot syndrome), sweating, flushing.
What to do: These are usually temporary. Tell your team if they interfere with your daily life; supportive care is available. (1)
Severe allergic reaction
What to notice: Rash, hives, itching, reddening of the skin, difficulty breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, feeling of throat closing, swelling of the lips or tongue, dizziness, fainting.
What to do: Seek immediate medical attention – do not wait for the next appointment. (1) (2)
Infection
What to notice: Sore throat, fever, chills, persistent diarrhoea, or other signs of infection.
What to do: Contact your oncology team promptly. (1)
Bleeding or bruising
What to notice: Unusual bruising or bleeding, nosebleeds, blood in urine, black or tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
What to do: Call your doctor immediately. (1)
Worsening neuropathy
What to notice: Trouble walking, loss of balance, difficulty with everyday hand tasks, speech problems, jaw tightening.
What to do: Tell your oncologist straight away; dose adjustment may be needed. (1) (2)
Lung problems
What to notice: New cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain or tightness that does not go away.
What to do: Report immediately; your team will need to check for lung inflammation. (2)
Heart rhythm changes
What to notice: Fainting, feeling lightheaded, rapid or irregular heartbeat.
What to do: Call your doctor; a cardiac check may be required. (2)
Muscle pain or dark urine
What to notice: Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, dark or cola‑coloured urine, reduced urine output.
What to do: Seek medical advice immediately; this could be a sign of muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis). (2)
Vision changes or confusion
What to notice: Sudden blurred vision, loss of vision, confusion, seizure.
What to do: Urgent medical review needed; this may be a reversible brain reaction (PRES). (2)
Serious warnings
Anaphylaxis — emergency
Symptoms: Rash, hives, itching, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, dizziness, fainting.
Action: Use emergency services immediately. Anaphylaxis can occur within minutes of any infusion, including after previous uneventful doses. (1) (2)
Laryngospasm or severe breathing difficulty — emergency
Symptoms: Sudden difficulty breathing, throat tightness, chest pressure, feeling of choking, inability to speak.
Action: Call emergency services immediately. Do not wait to see if it passes. (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Blood thinners (e.g. warfarin) | Oxaliplatin may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants. | Make sure your doctor knows about any blood‑thinning medication; more frequent blood checks may be needed. (2) |
| Medicines that affect heart rhythm (QT‑prolonging drugs) | Oxaliplatin itself can prolong the QT interval; adding other QT‑prolonging drugs raises the chance of serious irregular heartbeats. | Tell your oncologist about every medicine you take, including those bought without a prescription. (2) |
| Other platinum‑containing chemotherapy (cisplatin, carboplatin) | Combined or closely timed use can worsen nerve damage or kidney problems. | Your treatment plan will be decided by your specialist; never add any other anti‑cancer medicine on your own. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Children and adolescents
Oxaliplatin is not approved for use in children. Safety and effectiveness in patients younger than 18 years have not been established. (2)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Oxaliplatin can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Women who can become pregnant must use effective contraception during treatment and for 9 months after the final dose. Men with female partners of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after the final dose. Do not breastfeed while on oxaliplatin and for 3 months after the last dose. (2) (1)
People with kidney problems
Tell your oncologist if you have ever had kidney disease. Your kidney function will be checked before and during treatment, and your dose may need to be adjusted. (1)
Surgery and dental procedures
Before any operation or dental surgery, tell the surgeon or dentist that you are receiving oxaliplatin; it can affect bleeding and healing. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Full blood count, liver and kidney function tests.
- Pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential.
- Assessment of any pre‑existing numbness, tingling or walking problems.
- Heart tracing (ECG) if there is a history of heart problems or if the patient takes other QT‑prolonging drugs.
During treatment
- Blood counts before each cycle (platelets, white cells, red cells).
- Liver function tests before each cycle and as clinically indicated.
- Neurological examination for signs of peripheral neuropathy – cold sensitivity, numbness, balance, fine‑motor tasks.
- Cardiac monitoring if at risk for QT prolongation.
- Signs of serious side effects: infection, bleeding, breathing problems, muscle pain, vision changes.
Storage
Oxaliplatin vials are stored and handled by the hospital pharmacy. They should be kept below 25°C and protected from light. Do not store or handle this medicine at home.
Professional information
Clinician‑facing context only. Always use the current local prescribing information and treatment guidelines.
US label
Indication: Adjuvant stage III colon cancer and advanced colorectal cancer
Dose summary: Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m² as an intravenous infusion over 120 minutes, given simultaneously with leucovorin 200 mg/m² on Day 1, followed by fluorouracil 400 mg/m² IV bolus then 600 mg/m² continuous infusion over 22 hours; repeat leucovorin/fluorouracil on Day 2. Cycle length 14 days. Treatment duration: up to 12 cycles for adjuvant disease; until progression or unacceptable toxicity for advanced disease. Dose reductions to 75 mg/m² are recommended for persistent grade 2 peripheral neuropathy, grade 4 neutropenia/febrile neutropenia, or grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia/gastrointestinal toxicity. Infusion time may be extended to 6 hours to manage acute infusion‑related reactions. Permanently discontinue for hypersensitivity, PRES, confirmed interstitial lung disease/pulmonary fibrosis or rhabdomyolysis.
Renal context: The US label does not provide a specific dose adjustment for renal impairment; use with caution and monitor kidney function. (2)
Hepatic guidance
No hepatic dose adjustment is provided; liver function should be monitored before each cycle.
Overdose note
Overdoses have been reported with single doses up to 825 mg. Manifestations include grade 4 thrombocytopenia, anaemia, severe sensory neuropathy (including laryngospasm and facial spasms), severe gastrointestinal toxicity, dehydration, respiratory failure, severe bradycardia and death. Management is supportive with close monitoring. (2)
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need to avoid cold things after oxaliplatin?
Oxaliplatin can cause nerve endings to become over‑sensitive to cold. For about 5 days after a dose, cold drinks, cold air, or touching cold objects can trigger a sudden numbness, tingling, or spasm in the hands, feet, throat, or jaw. Wearing gloves, a scarf, and drinking room‑temperature fluids helps until the effect settles. (1) (2)
Can I breastfeed while on oxaliplatin?
No. You should not breastfeed during treatment with oxaliplatin and for at least 3 months after your final dose, because the drug could pass into breast milk and harm a nursing infant. (2)
What should I do if I miss an infusion appointment?
Contact your oncology team immediately to rearrange the appointment. Keeping the 2‑week schedule is important. Do not decide to double the next dose or to have the infusion somewhere else; only your specialist can reschedule safely. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of oxaliplatin?
Oxaliplatin is a platinum‑containing antineoplastic medicine that kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA, leading to cell death. (2)
References
- Oxaliplatin Injection: MedlinePlus Drug InformationMedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 1
- Oxaliplatin (oxaliplatin) — prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration (DailyMed) · United States · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 2
- Oxaliplatin (DBL) — CMI and product informationhealthdirect Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient oxaliplatin names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
Canada
- ELOXATINregulator source
Australia
- Oxaliplatin Accordreference source
- OXALIPLATIN BAXTERreference source
India
Source-listed products; local stock and regulatory approval have not been confirmed. Check the exact ingredient, strength, and formulation with a pharmacist.
- Oxyrea 100 InjectionPowder for Injection · 100mg · Neon Laboratories Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Es Oxali 50 InjectionInjection · 50mg · Esperer Bioresearch Pvt Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Oxoplan 50mg InjectionInjection · 50mg · Samarth Life Sciences Pvt Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Oxaliptin 50mg InjectionInjection · 50mg · BDR Pharmaceuticals Internationals Pvtpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Platoxin 100mg InjectionInjection · 100mg · Shantha Biotechpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Oxywin 100mg InjectionInjection · 100mg · BPRL Pvt Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Metaplatin 100mg InjectionInjection · 100mg · Parenteral Drugs India Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Prexaplatin 100mg InjectionInjection · 100mg · Premedium Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
Nepal
Source-listed products; local stock and regulatory approval have not been confirmed. Check the exact ingredient, strength, and formulation with a pharmacist.
- C-CeldachInjection · 100mg · Celon Labreference source · checked 2026-09-24
- OxitanInjection · 100mg/ml · Fresenius Kabi pharmaceuticalsreference source · checked 2026-09-24
- X-PLATInjection · 100mg/ml · Cipla Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
New Zealand
- Oxaliplatin Ebewereference source
- Oxaliplatin Actavisreference source
- Baxterreference source
- Oxaliplatin Accordreference source
- Alchemy Oxaliplatinreference source