Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Platinum-based Drug [EPC]
- How it is given
- intravenous
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 1736776
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Oxaliplatin Injection, in combination with infusional fluorouracil and leucovorin, is indicated for: adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer in patients who have undergone complete resection of the primary tumor. treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Oxaliplatin Injection is a platinum-based drug used in combination with infusional fluorouracil and leucovorin, which is indicated for: adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer in patients who have undergone complete resection of the primary tumor. ( 1 ) treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. ( 1 )
About this medicine
Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based drug with the molecular formula C 8 H 14 N 2 O 4 Pt and the chemical name of cis -[(1 R ,2 R )-1,2-cyclohexanediamine- N,N '] [oxalato(2-)- O , O '] platinum. Oxaliplatin is an organoplatinum complex in which the platinum atom is complexed with 1,2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH) and with an oxalate ligand as a leaving group. The molecular weight is 397.3. Oxaliplatin is slightly soluble in water at 6 mg per mL, very slightly soluble in methanol, and practically insoluble in ethanol and acetone. Oxaliplatin Injection, USP, for intravenous use is supplied in vials containing 50 mg or 100 mg of oxaliplatin, USP as a sterile, preservative-free, aqueous solution at a concentration of 5 mg per mL. Water for Injection, USP is present as an inactive ingredient. structure
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Oxaliplatin undergoes nonenzymatic conversion in physiologic solutions to active derivatives via displacement of the labile oxalate ligand. Several transient reactive species are formed, including monoaquo and diaquo DACH platinum, which covalently bind with macromolecules. Both inter- and intrastrand Pt-DNA crosslinks are formed. Crosslinks are formed between the N7 positions of two adjacent guanines (GG), adjacent adenine-guanines (AG), and guanines separated by an intervening nucleotide (GNG). These crosslinks inhibit DNA replication and transcription. Cytotoxicity is cell-cycle nonspecific. In vivo studies have shown antitumor activity of oxaliplatin against colon carcinoma. In combination with fluorouracil, oxaliplatin exhibits in vitro and in vivo antiproliferative activity greater than either compound alone in several tumor models (HT29 [colon], GR [mammary], and L1210 [leukemia]).
Who should not take it
Oxaliplatin is contraindicated in patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to oxaliplatin or other platinum-based drugs. Reactions have included anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . History of hypersensitivity reaction to oxaliplatin or other platinum-based drugs. ( 4 , 5.1 )
Warnings and cautions
Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy : Acute and delayed neuropathy can occur. Avoid topical application of ice. Reduce the dose or permanently discontinue oxaliplatin as recommended. ( 5.2 ) Severe Myelosuppression : Delay oxaliplatin until neutrophils are greater than or equal to 1.5 × 10 9 /L and platelets are greater than or equal to 75 × 10 9 /L. Withhold oxaliplatin for sepsis or septic shock. Dose reduce after recovery from grade 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, or grade 3 to 4 thrombocytopenia as recommended. ( 5.3 ) Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) : Permanently discontinue oxaliplatin in patients who develop PRES. ( 5.4 ) Pulmonary Toxicity : Withhold oxaliplatin until investigation excludes interstitial lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis. ( 5.5 ) Hepatotoxicity : Monitor liver function tests at baseline, before each subsequent cycle, and as clinically indicated. ( 5.6 ) QT Interval Prolongation : Avoid in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Monitor electrocardiograms in patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, and electrolyte abnormalities, and in patients taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval. Correct electrolyte abnormalities prior to initiating oxaliplatin and periodically during treatment. ( 5.7 ) Rhabdomyolysis : Permanently discontinue oxaliplatin if rhabdomyolysis occurs. ( 5.8 ) Hemorrhage : Increase frequency of monitoring in patients who are receiving oxaliplatin with fluorouracil/leucovorin and oral anticoagulants ( 5.9 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity : Can cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise males and females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception. ( 5.10 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious and fatal hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur with oxaliplatin within minutes of administration and during any cycle. Grade 3 to 4 hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, occurred in 2% to 3% of patients with colon cancer who received oxaliplatin. […]
Reported side effects
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling: Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Severe Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Pulmonary Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] QT Interval Prolongation and Ventricular Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 40%) were peripheral sensory neuropathy, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea, increase in transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, diarrhea, emesis, fatigue, and stomatitis. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-844-824-8426 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. More than 1100 patients with stage II or III colon cancer and more than 4,000 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated in trials with oxaliplatin. The most common adverse reactions in patients with stage II or III colon cancer receiving adjuvant treatment were peripheral sensory neuropathy, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea, increase in transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, diarrhea, emesis, fatigue and stomatitis. The most common adverse reactions in previously untreated and treated patients with advanced colorectal cancer were peripheral sensory neuropathies, fatigue, neutropenia, nausea, emesis, and diarrhea. […]
Interactions with other medicines
7.1 Drugs that Prolong the QT Interval QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias can occur with oxaliplatin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] . Avoid coadministration of oxaliplatin with medicinal products with a known potential to prolong the QT interval. 7.2 Use with Nephrotoxic Products Because platinum-containing species are eliminated primarily through the kidney, clearance of these products may be decreased by coadministration of potentially nephrotoxic compounds [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Avoid coadministration of oxaliplatin with medicinal products known to cause nephrotoxicity. 7.3 Use with Anticoagulants Prolonged prothrombin time and INR occasionally associated with hemorrhage have been reported in patients who received oxaliplatin with fluorouracil/leucovorin while on anticoagulants [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Increase frequency of monitoring in patients who are receiving oxaliplatin with fluorouracil/leucovorin and oral anticoagulants.
Use in specific groups
Females : Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception while receiving oxaliplatin and for 9 months after the final dose. ( 8.3 ) Males : Based on its mechanism action as a genotoxic drug, advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception while receiving oxaliplatin and for 6 months after the final dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] . 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its direct interaction with DNA, oxaliplatin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. The available human data do not establish the presence or absence of major birth defects or miscarriage related to the use of oxaliplatin. Reproductive toxicity studies demonstrated adverse effects on embryo-fetal development in rats at maternal doses that were below the recommended human dose based on body surface area (see Data ) . Advise a pregnant woman of the potential risk to a fetus. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal data Pregnant rats were administered oxaliplatin at less than one-tenth the recommended human dose based on body surface area during gestation days (GD)1 to 5 (preimplantation), GD 6 to 10, or GD 11 to 16 (during organogenesis). Oxaliplatin caused developmental mortality (increased early resorptions) when administered on days GD 6 to 10 and GD 11 to 16 and adversely affected fetal growth (decreased fetal weight, delayed ossification) when administered on days GD 6 to 10. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of oxaliplatin or its metabolites in human or animal milk or its effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with oxaliplatin and for 3 months after the final dose. 8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Pregnancy Testing Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating oxaliplatin [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . […]
If too much is taken
The maximum dose of oxaliplatin that has been administered in a single infusion is 825 mg. Several cases of overdoses have been reported with oxaliplatin. Adverse reactions observed following an overdosage were grade 4 thrombocytopenia (less than 25,000/mm 3 ) without bleeding, anemia, sensory neuropathy (including paresthesia, dysesthesia, laryngospasm and facial muscle spasms), gastrointestinal disorders (including nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, flatulence, abdomen enlarged and grade 4 intestinal obstruction), grade 4 dehydration, dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain, respiratory failure, severe bradycardia, and death. Closely monitor patients suspected of receiving an overdose, including for the adverse reactions described above and administer appropriate supportive treatment.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 3 October 2024. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.