A platinum chemotherapy medicine
Cisplatin
A powerful platinum-based chemotherapy infusion, given under specialist care, for many cancers, with careful kidney protection.
What is Cisplatin?
Cisplatin is a highly effective platinum-based chemotherapy medicine given by drip (infusion) in hospital under cancer-team care, used for many cancers including testicular, ovarian, lung, bladder and head and neck cancers. It is very effective but has some particular side effects to watch for: it can harm the kidneys, so plenty of fluids are given by drip to protect them; it can cause hearing loss or ringing in the ears, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet; and it can cause strong sickness, so powerful anti-sickness medicines are given. Like all chemotherapy it lowers blood counts and raises infection risk, so a fever or feeling suddenly unwell is an emergency.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Cisplatin — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Cisplatin is a cytotoxic chemotherapy medicine that contains the metal platinum, given by drip in hospital for a wide range of cancers, including testicular, ovarian, lung, bladder, cervical and head and neck cancers. It is one of the most effective chemotherapy medicines and has cured or controlled many cancers, but it needs careful handling because of its effects on the kidneys, hearing and nerves. It is always given and supervised by an oncology team, usually with a large amount of fluid by drip to protect the kidneys, and is often combined with other treatments. Treatment is given in cycles.
How it works
Cisplatin binds to the DNA inside cancer cells and creates links that stop the DNA being copied and repaired, so the cells cannot keep dividing and many die. Because it is cleared through the kidneys and can build up in delicate tissues, it can affect the kidneys themselves, the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that allow hearing, and the nerves in the hands and feet — which explains its main distinctive side effects. The large amount of fluid given before and after each dose helps wash the medicine through the kidneys and reduce harm to them.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
A long-established and highly effective platinum chemotherapy medicine used in the UK, under specialist care, for many cancers.
Practical use
How to take Cisplatin
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given by drip in hospital, usually with a large amount of fluid before and after to protect your kidneys.
- Drink plenty of fluids at home between treatments unless your team tells you otherwise, to help your kidneys.
- Take your anti-sickness medicines as prescribed and tell your team if nausea is not well controlled.
- Report any hearing changes, ringing in the ears, or numbness and tingling in your hands and feet promptly.
- Contact your team's emergency line straight away if you develop a fever, shivering or feel suddenly unwell.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Cisplatin
Advantages
- One of the most effective chemotherapy medicines, capable of curing or controlling many cancers.
- Used across a wide range of cancers, often as a key part of combination treatment.
- Long experience means its side effects are well understood and actively managed with fluids and monitoring.
Disadvantages
- Can harm the kidneys, so large amounts of fluid and close monitoring are needed.
- Can cause hearing loss or ringing in the ears, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
- One of the most sickness-inducing chemotherapy medicines, and like all chemotherapy it lowers blood counts.
Practical use
Good to know
Cisplatin is one of the most powerful chemotherapy medicines, but it asks for some extra care. To protect the kidneys, you will be given a large amount of fluid by drip before and after treatment, and your kidney function and blood magnesium and other salts are checked regularly. It can affect hearing, causing loss of higher sounds or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and can cause numbness, tingling or clumsiness in the hands and feet — report any of these so your team can act. It is also one of the most sickness-inducing chemotherapy medicines, so strong anti-sickness medicines are given routinely; tell your team if nausea is not controlled. As with all chemotherapy, it lowers blood counts, so a fever or feeling suddenly unwell is a medical emergency (possible neutropenic sepsis) — ring your team's emergency line at once. Pregnancy must be avoided and contraception used, fertility can be affected (sperm storage may be offered), and live vaccines avoided. Drinking well at home between treatments also helps. Feeling daunted is normal — your team is experienced in supporting people through this and welcomes your questions.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- It is generally avoided in people with significant existing kidney problems or marked hearing loss.
- It is avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding because it can harm a developing baby.
- People with existing significant nerve damage are assessed carefully, and carboplatin may be considered instead.
Monitoring
- Regular blood tests to check kidney function, blood salts such as magnesium, and blood counts.
- Checking hearing and asking about ringing in the ears and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
- Reviewing how well nausea is controlled and adjusting anti-sickness treatment as needed.
Side effects
- Strong nausea and vomiting, tiredness, and low blood counts are common, along with changes to kidney function.
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, can occur.
- Low blood counts raise the risk of infection, bruising and anaemia — a fever or feeling very unwell needs urgent care.
Key interactions
- Other medicines that can affect the kidneys or hearing may add to the risk, so your team reviews these carefully.
- Live vaccines are avoided during treatment, as the weakened immune system cannot handle them safely.
- It can interact with other chemotherapy and certain medicines, so all your medicines are reviewed before treatment.
Available as: Infusion given in hospital with protective fluids; prescribed and supervised by a specialist.
Answers
Cisplatin: frequently asked questions
Why am I given so much fluid with cisplatin?
Cisplatin can affect the kidneys, so a large amount of fluid is given by drip before and after treatment to help flush it through and protect them; drinking well at home between treatments helps too.
Can cisplatin affect my hearing?
Yes, it can cause hearing loss, especially of higher sounds, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), so report any changes to your team, who may check your hearing.
Why does it cause so much sickness?
Cisplatin is one of the most sickness-inducing chemotherapy medicines, so strong anti-sickness medicines are given routinely; tell your team if the nausea is not well controlled.
What is the numbness and tingling in my hands and feet?
Cisplatin can affect the nerves, causing numbness, tingling or clumsiness in the hands and feet; report this, as your team may adjust treatment.
What should I do if I get a fever?
Treat it as an emergency. A fever or feeling suddenly unwell can mean a serious infection (neutropenic sepsis), so ring your team's emergency line straight away.
The wider class
About Chemotherapy (platinum)
Cisplatin belongs to the chemotherapy (platinum) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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