Carboplatin

Chemical name: Carboplatin

Brand name: Paraplatin

Class: Platinum-based chemotherapy. There are no other platinum-based chemotherapies used to treat breast cancer.

How it works: Platinum-based chemotherapy weakens or destroys breast cancer cells by damaging the genetic material in the cells and making it hard for cells to repair any genetic damage.

Uses: Carboplatin is used to treat advanced-stage breast cancer and usually is given in combination with other chemotherapy medicines.

How it's given: Carboplatin is given intravenously.

Side effects:

• fatigue
• nausea
• vomiting
• low white blood cell count
• kidney damage
• hair loss
• loss of appetite
• nerve damage
• irregular periods -- this can include temporary cessation (usually resume after medication is completed) or permanent cessation of menstrual periods depending on your age and other factors