Cisplatin is a highly toxic drug with a relatively narrow therapeutic index, and a therapeutic effect is unlikely to occur without some evidence of toxicity. This cytostatic agent has a more marked toxicity than is usually found in antineoplastic chemotherapy.
This agent should only be administered under the direction of oncologists in specialist units under conditions permitting adequate monitoring and surveillance. Supportive equipment should be available to control anaphylactic reactions.
Cisplatin reacts with metallic aluminium to form a black precipitate of platinum. All aluminium containing IV sets, needles, catheters and syringes must be avoided.
Before administering the solution to the patient, verify the clarity of the solution and the absence of particles.
Cisplatin solution for infusion should not be mixed with other drugs or additives.
Appropriate monitoring and management of the treatment and its complications are only possible if adequate diagnosis and exact treatment conditions are available.
Nephrotoxicity
Cisplatin produces severe cumulative nephrotoxicity which may be potentiated by aminoglycoside antibiotics. The serum creatinine, plasma urea or creatinine clearance and magnesium, sodium potassium, and calcium levels should be measured prior to initiating therapy, and prior to each subsequent course. Cisplatin should not be given more frequently than once every 3-4 weeks.
To maintain urine output and reduce renal toxicity it is recommended that cisplatin be administered as an intravenous infusion over 6 to 8 hours (see section 4.2). A urine output of 100 ml/hour or greater will tend to minimise cisplatin nephrotoxicity. This can be accomplished by pre-hydration with 2 litres of an appropriate intravenous solution, and similar post cisplatin treatment hydration (recommended 2,500 ml/m2BSA/24 hours). If vigorous hydration is insufficient to maintain adequate urinary output, an osmotic diuretic may be administered (e.g., 10% mannitol solution).
Repeat courses of cisplatin should not be given unless the level of serum creatinine is below 1.5 mg/100 ml or the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is below 25 mg/100 ml.
Special care has to be taken when cisplatin-treated patients are given concomitant therapies with other potentially nephrotoxic drugs (see section 4.5).
Bone marrow function
Peripheral blood counts should be monitored frequently in patients receiving cisplatin. Although the hematologic toxicity is usually moderate and reversible, severe thrombocytopenia and leukopenia may occur. In patients who develop thrombocytopenia special precautions are recommended: care in performing invasive procedures; search for signs of bleeding or bruising; test of urine, stools and emesis for occult blood; avoiding aspirin and other NSAIDs. Patients who develop leukopenia should be observed carefully for signs of infection and might require antibiotic support and blood product transfusions (see section 4.8).
Central Nervous System function
Cisplatin is known to induce neurotoxicity which appears to be cumulative.
Severe cases of neuropathies have been reported. These neuropathies may be irreversible and may manifest by paraesthesia, areflexia and a proprioceptive loss and a loss of vibration perception. A loss of motor function has also been reported. A neurological examination must be carried out at regular intervals in patients receiving a cisplatin-containing treatment. Since neurotoxicity may result in irreversible damage, it is recommended to discontinue therapy with cisplatin when neurologic toxic signs or symptoms become apparent (see section 4.8).
Prior to each course, the absence of symptoms of peripheral neuropathy should be established.
Ototoxicity
Cisplatin may produce cumulative ototoxicity, which is more likely to occur with high-dose regimens. Audiometry should be performed prior to initiating therapy, and repeated audiograms should be performed when auditory symptoms occur, or clinical hearing changes become apparent. Clinically important deterioration of auditive function may require dosage modifications or discontinuation of therapy.
Ototoxicity has been observed in up to 31% of patients treated with a single dose of cisplatin 50 mg/m2, and is manifested by tinnitus and/or hearing loss in the high frequency range (4000 to 8000 Hz). Decreased ability to hear conversational tones may occur occasionally. Ototoxic effect may be more pronounced in children receiving cisplatin.
Cases of delayed-onset hearing loss have been reported in the paediatric population. Long term follow-up in this population is recommended.
Hearing loss can be unilateral or bilateral and tends to become more frequent and severe with repeated doses; however, deafness after initial dose of cisplatin has been reported rarely. Ototoxicity may be enhanced with prior simultaneous cranial irradiation and may be related to peak plasma concentration of cisplatin. It is unclear whether cisplatin induced ototoxicity is reversible. Vestibular toxicity has also been reported (see section 4.8).
Close supervision must also be carried out with regard to ototoxicity, myelodepression and anaphylactic reactions (see section 4.8).
Allergic phenomena
Anaphylactic-like reactions to cisplatin have been reported. These reactions have occurred within minutes of administration to patients with prior exposure to cisplatin and have been alleviated by administration of adrenaline, steroids and antihistamines.
As with other platinum-based products, hypersensitivity reactions may occur, appearing in most cases during perfusion, and necessitating discontinuation of the perfusion and an appropriate symptomatic treatment. Cross reactions, sometimes fatal, have been reported with all the platinum compounds (see sections 4.3 and 4.8).
Hepatic function and haematological formula
The haematological formula and hepatic function must be monitored at regular intervals.
Carcinogenic potential
In humans, in rare cases the appearance of acute leukaemia has coincided with the use of cisplatin, which was in general associated with other leukaemogenic agents.
Cisplatin has been shown to be teratogenic, embryotoxic and carcinogenic in mice and rats.
Injection site reactions
Injection site reactions may occur during the administration of cisplatin. Given the possibility of extravasation, it is recommended to closely monitor the infusion site for possible infiltration during drug administration. A specific treatment for extravasation reactions is unknown at this time.
Gastrointestinal effects
Nausea and vomiting may be intense and require adequate antiemetic treatment.
Immunosuppressant effects/increased susceptibility to infections
Administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines in patients immunocompromised by chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin, may result in serious or fatal infections. Vaccination with a live vaccine should be avoided in patients receiving cisplatin. Killed or inactivated vaccines may be administered; however, the response to such vaccines may be diminished.
Excipient information
Cisplatin 10 mg/10 ml (1 mg/ ml) concentrate for solution for infusion contains 35.4 mg of sodium in each 10 ml vial, equivalent to 1.8% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
Cisplatin 50 mg/50 ml (1 mg/ ml) concentrate for solution for infusion contains 177 mg of sodium in each 50 ml vial, equivalent to 8.9% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
Cisplatin 100 mg/ 100 ml (1 mg/ ml) concentrate for solution for infusion contains 354 mg of sodium in each 100 ml vial, equivalent to 17.7% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
Cisplatin may be further prepared for administration with sodium-containing solutions (see section 6.6) and this should be considered in relation to the total sodium from all sources that will be administered to the patient.