INTRODUCTION
UNICARB 450MG contains Carboplatin which belongs to the group of medicines called Anti-cancer agents. It is used to treat advanced ovarian cancer and small cell lung cancer. It is generally used in combination with other anti-cancer medicines to achieve better results.
Advanced ovarian cancer is the cancer originated in ovary and spread to other parts of the body and small cell lung cancer is the cancer that occurs in tissues of the lungs. It is caused mainly due to smoking and characterized by symptoms such as chest pain, cough with blood, shortness of breath, tiredness, and weight loss.
Before receiving UNICARB 450MG inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have fever or low blood counts before receiving UNICARB 450MG. UNICARB 450MG should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Men receiving UNICARB 450MG must not father a child during treatment with UNICARB 450MG and up to six months after stopping the therapy. Both men and women receiving UNICARB 450MG must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with UNICARB 450MG.
The use of UNICARB 450MG may cause abnormal decrease in total blood counts. It may also cause nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, hearing loss, loss of taste, tingling or numbness of body parts, increased serum creatinine levels, difficult in passing urine, increased bilirubin levels in the blood and changes in vision.
To avoid this, your doctor will closely monitor your blood count, liver functions, kidney functions, nerve functions and ear functions. However, consult your doctor if they trouble you.
USES OF UNICARB 450MG
It is used either alone or in combination with other anticancer medicines to treat:
- advanced ovarian cancer (cancer originated in ovary and spread to other parts of the body)
- small cell lung carcinoma (lung cancer)
HOW UNICARB 450MG WORKS
UNICARB 450MG is an anticancer medicine. It acts by damaging the genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying within the body.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
UNICARB 450MG will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein as an intravenous infusion. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
SIDE EFFECTS OF UNICARB 450MG
COMMON
- low blood counts (WBC, RBC, and platelets)
- nausea and vomiting
- stomach pain and cramps
- increased urea levels in the blood
- low magnesium, sodium, and potassium levels in the blood
- kidney damage, liver damage
- tingling, burning, pricking sensation or numbness of body parts
- loss of taste
- changes in vision
- decreased bone movements
- ringing in ears, loss of hearing
- chest tightness or wheezing
- diarrhea or constipation
- sore lips or mouth ulcers
- hair loss
- skin rash or itching
- back pain, joint pain, and muscle pain
- difficulty in urination
- extreme tiredness/weakness (asthenia)
RARE
- temporary loss in eyesight
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects after receiving UNICARB 450MG:
- signs of low platelet and WBC counts (such as infections, fever, sore throat, abnormal bleeding, and bruising)
- severe allergic reactions (such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat, itching and chest tightness which can lead to difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
- signs of tumor lysis syndrome (such as irregular heartbeat, kidney problems or abnormal blood cell count)
- signs of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (such as kidney damage, bloody urine, difficulty in urination along with extreme tiredness and shortness of breath with low RBC, WBC or platelet counts)
- signs of hemolytic anemia (such as extreme tiredness and shortness of breath with low RBC count)
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Diarrhoea:
Drink plenty of fluids such as water, fruit juices or electrolytes to avoid dehydration in your body. Consult your doctor if your symptom worsens.
Mouth ulcers:
Use soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. Avoid eating spicy and acidic foods such as beverages, sodas, and processed foods. Also, you may can use over-the-counter pain-relieving oral gel to get some relief.
Skin rash:
Do not scratch the affected area. Wear protective clothing while going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. Consult your doctor if the symptoms worsen.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
UNICARB 450MG is not recommended for use in pregnant women. Women of childbearing age must use a suitable contraceptive before and during treatment with UNICARB 450MG to avoid pregnancy and up to 6 months after treatment discontinuation. If you became pregnant while undergoing therapy with UNICARB 450MG, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately.
BREASTFEEDING
UNICARB 450MG is not recommended for use in breast feeding women due to lack of proper safety data. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if you experience any unpleasant symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, worsening of eyesight, or changes in vision and sense of hearing) after receiving UNICARB 450MG.
ALCOHOL
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with UNICARB 450MG.
KIDNEY
UNICARB 450MG is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney diseases. It should be used with caution in patients with mild kidney problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
LIVER
UNICARB 450MG should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
ALLERGY
Do not receive UNICARB 450MG if you are allergic to Carboplatin or to other platinum containing cancer drugs (such as cisplatin and oxaliplatin).
OTHERS
UNICARB 450MG is not recommended for use if you:
- have low blood cell counts (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets)
- have a tumor that bleeds
Before receiving UNICARB 450MG inform your doctor if you:
- have previously any cisplatin or with any other similar anti-cancer medicines in the past
- have headache, abnormal vision, altered mental functioning and/or seizures
- have fever or chills (or any signs of infection)
Use in pediatrics:
The safety and effectiveness of UNICARB 450MG in children have not been established. Therefore, UNICARB 450MG should not be used in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years) unless prescribed by a physician.
Use in geriatrics:
UNICARB 450MG should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above). Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
INTERACTIONS
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before receiving UNICARB 450MG inform your doctor, if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
- medicines used to treat bacterial infections such as aminoglycosides (Ex. gentamicin, amikacin, capreomycin) or vancomycin
- medicines which can lower the number of blood cells (azacitidine, bosentan, carbidopa-levodopa)
- phenytoin, fosphenytoin (used to treat seizures)
- warfarin (a medicine used to prevent blood clot)
- live vaccines (yellow fever vaccine, typhoid vaccine, cholera vaccine)
- tacrolimus, sirolimus and ciclosporin (used to suppress the immune activity)
- diuretics (used to treat edema and high blood pressure) such as furosemide, torsemide
Overdosage:
UNICARB 450MG will be administered to you only by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital, and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, consult your doctor or nurse if you experience any unusual symptoms.
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Carboplatin |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Alkylating agents |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Cancer (small cell lung cancer, advanced ovarian cancer) |
| Dosage Forms | : | Injection |
MORE INFORMATION
- Keep UNICARB 450MG out of reach of children
- Store at room temperature (not above 25°C) or in the refrigerator (between 2-8°C) depending upon the instructions given in the product label
FAQs ABOUT UNICARB 450MG
What is the use of UNICARB 450MG?
UNICARB 450MG is an anticancer medicine used to treat lung cancer and ovarian cancer.
Is UNICARB 450MG a strong chemotherapy?
Yes. UNICARB 450MG is a strong chemotherapeutic agent. It damages the genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells which prevents them from growing and multiplying within the body.
Will the use of UNICARB 450MG cause nerve pain?
Yes. The use of UNICARB 450MG may affect nerves and cause tingling, numbness, burning or pricking sensation of body parts. To avoid this, your doctor will constantly monitor your nerve functions and adjust the dose accordingly. However, if it worsens consult your doctor for advice.
Can UNICARB 450MG cause hearing problems?
Yes. The use of UNICARB 450MG may affect the sense of hearing. To avoid this, your doctor will constantly monitor your ear functions and adjust the dose accordingly. However, if it worsens consult your doctor for advice.
Can UNICARB 450MG cure cancer?
UNICARB 450MG is an anticancer medicine used to treat lung cancer and ovarian cancer. However, consult your doctor regarding the cure of the disease as the success rate depends upon the intensity of the cancer.
Is UNICARB 450MG toxic to kidneys?
UNICARB 450MG may affect the way your kidney works. It may cause bloody urine, or difficulty in passing urine or even kidney failure. Therefore, prior to the treatment inform your doctor if you have any kidney problems. Do not receive UNICARB 450MG if you have severe kidney problems.
Will the use of UNICARB 450MG cause weight gain?
Yes. The use of UNICARB 450MG may cause weight gain in some individuals. Consult your doctor if they trouble you.
Can the use of UNICARB 450MG cause hair loss?
Yes. Hair loss is one of the common side effects of taking a chemotherapy medicine like UNICARB 450MG. Consult your doctor if it bothers you.
Will the use of UNICARB 450MG affect fertility?
Yes. The use of UNICARB 450MG affects fertility in both men and women. It may cause lack of periods, delayed puberty, early menopause in women and decreased sperm production in men. Consult your doctor if they trouble you.
How long will it take for UNICARB 450MG to cure my disease?
The time taken for cure depends upon the intensity of the disease. Contact your doctor regarding the duration of the therapy.
What are the side effects of UNICARB 450MG?
UNICARB 450MG may cause abnormal decrease in total blood counts, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, hearing loss, loss of taste, tingling or numbness of body parts, increased serum creatinine levels, difficult in passing urine, increased bilirubin levels in the blood and changes in vision. Consult your doctor for advice if they trouble you.
How UNICARB 450MG works?
UNICARB 450MG is an anticancer medicine. It acts by damaging the genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying within the body.
Will the use of UNICARB 450MG cause constipation?
Yes. The use of UNICARB 450MG may cause constipation in some individuals. Consult your doctor if it trouble you.
REFERENCES
1. KD. Tripathi. Chemotherapy of Neoplastic Diseases. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 862.
2. Accord U Gatzemeier, M Heckmayr, R Neuhauss, D Hossfeld, W Achterrath, L Lenaz. Phase II studies with carboplatin in non-small cell lung cancer. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Pubmed.gov. May 2002. [Accessed on 5th September 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2154856/
3. Hospira UK Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in October 2020] [Accessed on 5th September 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3787.pdf
4. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company U.S. Food & Drug Administration. [Revised in July 2010] [Accessed on 5th September 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/020452s005lbl.pdf
5. Cipla Ltd. Cytocarb Injection (Carboplatin). Cipla med. [Revised on May 2013]. [Accessed on 5th September 2022] https://www.ciplamed.com/content/cytocarb-injection
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