Oxaliplatin
Also sold as: Oxaliplatin
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: Platinum-containing Compounds (source: RxClass/NLM)
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
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]).
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE 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 )
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Administer oxaliplatin 85 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 120 minutes concurrently with leucovorin over 120 minutes in separate bags, followed by fluorouracil on Day 1 of each 14-day cycle. Administer fluorouracil and leucovorin on Day 2 as recommended. ( 2.1 ) Adjuvant Treatment : Continue treatment for up to 12 cycles or unacceptable toxicity. ( 2.1 ) Advanced Colorectal Cancer : Continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Administer oxaliplatin injection in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin every 2 weeks. For adjuvant treatment, continue treatment for up to 12 cycles or unacceptable toxicity. For advanced colorectal cancer, continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Day 1 Administer oxaliplatin injection 85 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 120 minutes and leucovorin 200 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 120 minutes at the same time in separate bags, followed by fluorouracil 400 mg/m 2 as intravenous bolus over 2-4 minutes, followed by fluorouracil 600 mg/m 2 as a 22-hour continuous infusion. Day 2 Administer leucovorin 200 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 120 minutes, followed by fluorouracil 400 mg/m 2 as intravenous bolus over 2-4 minutes, followed by fluorouracil 600 mg/m 2 as a 22-hour continuous infusion. Refer to the prescribing information for fluorouracil and leucovorin for additional information. 2.2 Dose Modifications for Adverse Reactions Prolongation of infusion time for oxaliplatin injection from 2 hours to 6 hours may mitigate acute toxicities, such as non-life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Permanently discontinue oxaliplatin injection for any of the following: Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Confirmed interstitial lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Refer to the fluorouracil and leucovorin prescribing information for dosage modifications for adverse reactions. Dosage Modifications for Adjuvant Treatment Dosage modifications for adverse reactions for adjuvant treatment are presented in Table 1 . Table 1: Dosage Modifications for Adjuvant Treatment in Patients with Stage III Colon Cancer Adverse Reactions Severity Oxaliplatin Injection Dosage Modifications Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Persistent Grade 2 Consider reducing oxaliplatin injection dose to 75 mg/m 2 . Persistent Grade 3 Consider discontinuing oxaliplatin injection. Grade 4 Discontinue oxaliplatin injection. Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. Grade 4 neutropenia or febrile neutropenia Delay the next dose until neutrophils greater than or equal to 1.5 × 10 9 /L and platelets greater than or equal to 75 × 10 9 /L. Reduce oxaliplatin injection dose to 75 mg/m 2 . Grade 3 to 4 thrombocytopenia Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] Grade 3 to 4 After recovery, reduce oxaliplatin injection dose to 75 mg/m 2 along with a dose reduction of fluorouracil to 300 mg/m 2 as an intravenous bolus and 500 mg/m 2 as a 22-hour continuous infusion. Dosage Modifications for Advanced Colorectal Cancer Dosage modifications for adverse reactions for advanced colorectal cancer are presented in Table 2 . Table 2: Dosage Modifications for Advanced Colorectal Cancer Adverse Reactions Severity Oxaliplatin Injection Dosage Modifications Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Persistent Grade 2 Consider reducing oxaliplatin injection dose to 65 mg/m 2 . Persistent Grade 3 Consider discontinuing oxaliplatin injection. Grade 4 Discontinue oxaliplatin injection. Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] Grade 4 neutropenia or febrile neutropenia Delay the next dose until neutrophils greater than or equal to 1.5 × 10 9 /L and platelets greater than or equal to 75 × 10 9 /L. Reduce oxaliplatin injection dose to 65 mg/m 2 . Grade 3 to 4 thrombocytopenia Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] Grade 3 to 4 After recovery, reduce oxaliplatin injection dose to 65 mg/m 2 along with a dose reduction of fluorouracil to 300 mg/m 2 as an intravenous bolus and 500 mg/m 2 as a 22-hour continuous infusion. 2.3 Dose Modifications for Patients with Renal Impairment In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CLcr] less than 30 mL/min, calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation), reduce the oxaliplatin injection dose to 65 mg/m 2 [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.4 Preparation and Administration Oxaliplatin injection is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1 Do not freeze. Protect the concentrated solution from ligh
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS 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. Adjuvant Treatment The safety of oxaliplatin in combination with fluorouracil (FU)/leucovorin (LV) was evaluated in patients with stage II or III colon cancer, who had undergone complete resection of the primary tumor in the adjuvant treatment trial [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. Fatal adverse reactions in patients who received oxaliplatin in the combination arm included sepsis/neutropenic sepsis (n=3), intracerebral hemorrhage (n=2), and eosinophilic pneumonia (n=1). Thromboembolic events occurred in 6% (grade 3 to 4, 1.2%) of patients in the oxaliplatin arm. Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions occurred in 70% of patients in the oxaliplatin arm. Grade 3 to 4 gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 0.2% of patients. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 0.7% and documented infection with concomitant grade 3 to 4 neutropenia occurred in 1.1%. Discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 15% of the patients in the oxaliplatin arm. Tables 5 , 6 , and 7 summarize the adverse reactions reported in patients with colon cancer receiving adjuvant treatment. Table 5: Adverse Reactions Reported in Patients with Colon Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Treatment (greater than or equal to 5% of all patients and with greater than or equal to 1% grade 3 to 4) * Event coded in WHO-ART dictionary † Includes thrombosis related to the catheter Adverse Reaction * Oxaliplatin + FU/LV N=1108 FU/LV N=1111 All Grades (%) Grade 3 to 4 (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3 to 4 (%) Neurology Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy 92 12 16 <1 Gastrointestinal Nausea 74 5 61 2 Diarrhea 56 11 48 7 Vomiting 47 6 24 1 Stomatitis 42 3 40 2 Anorexia 13 1 8 <1 Constitutional Symptoms/Pain Fatigue 44 4 38 1 Abdominal Pain 18 1 17 2 Dermatology/Skin Skin Disorder 32 2 36 2 Injection Site Reaction † 11 3 10 3 Fever/Infection Fever 27 1 12 1 Infection 25 4 25 3 Allergy/Immunology Allergic Reaction 10 3 2 <1 Table 6: Adverse Reactions Reported in Patients with Colon Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Treatment (greater than or equal to 5% of all patients but with less than 1% grade 3 to 4) * Event coded in WHO-ART dictionary † No complete alopecia was reported Adverse Reaction * Oxaliplatin + FU/LV N=1108 FU/LV N=1111 All Grades (%) All Grades (%) Dermatology/Skin Alopecia † 30 28 Gastrointestinal Constipation 22 19 Taste Perversion 12 8 Dyspepsia 8 5 Constitutional Symptoms/Pain/Ocular/Visual Epistaxis 16 12 Weight Increase 10 10 Conjunctivitis 9 15 Headache 7 5 Dyspnea 5 3 Pain 5 5 Abnormal Lacrimation 4 12 Neurology Sensory Disturbance 8 1 Allergy/Immunology Rhinitis 6 8 In females, the following grade 3 to 4 adverse reactions were more frequent: diarrhea, fatigue, neutropenia, nausea, and vomiting. In patients greater than or equal to 65 years old, the incidence of grade 3 to 4 diarrhea and neutropenia was higher than in younger adults. Clinically relevant adverse reactions were reported in greater than or equal to 2% and less than 5% of the patients in the oxaliplati
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 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.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS 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 )
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Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.