OxaliGet Oxaliplatin 2 mg/ml (100 mg/50 ml)

This chemotherapy drug contains the active ingredient oxaliplatin which can destroy cancer cells and in turn, treat cancer by hindering its reproduction and spread in the body. It primarily treats advanced stages of colorectal cancer and colon cancer.

Other oxaliplatin uses and benefits are:

• Can be used for combination therapy: For cancers like colorectal cancer and colon cancer, this medication is often used alongside other cancer medicines.
• Slows down cancer cell growth: Using this drug can significantly delay the progression of cancer cells, hindering it from spreading to other parts of the body.

The use of oxaliplatin can lead to experiencing several common side effects. This may include:

• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Breathing problems
• Headaches
• Taste changes
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal and back pain
• Numbness of the hands and feet, as well as feeling a tingling sensation
• Temporary hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Loss of appetite
• Low red blood cell count
• Low blood platelet count
• Low white blood cell count

In possible instances, you may experience serious side effects. When this occurs, make sure to contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest healthcare establishment to ensure your safety. Some adverse reactions includes:

• Bladder issues: Using this medication may cause discomfort in urinating. There is also a possibility of urinating more than usual, 
• Neurological effects: You may experience brain condition symptoms like a long lasting headache, the feeling of being confused, changes in your vision, and having seizures. 
• Hand-foot syndrome: The palm of your hands and soles of your feet may swell, get sore, or peel, crack, and blister. There can be an instance of feeling pain as well in these body areas.
• Heart-related problems: Patients may develop heart-related issues in using this drug. This includes experiencing chest pain, pressure, or heaviness. You may also have heart palpitations, as well as swollen feet and ankles.
• Critical allergic reactions: There can be instances of experiencing allergic reactions to oxaliplatin. In the event that you get severe allergic reactions in taking this medication, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Examples of critical allergic reactions are:
  • Hot flashes
  • Shivering
  • Facial swelling
  • Skin rashes and itching 

Oxaliplatin damages cancer cells in the body which keeps it from duplicating and dispersing further, henceforth treating cancer. It is delivered in your bloodstream through intravenous infusion on the chest or arm, and may be injected to you in the form of either a cannula, central line, PICC line, or portacath.

It specifically works by:

• Binding itself to the cancer cells’ DNA and damaging its genetic material. This in turn inhibits duplication, as well as cell cycle arrest. When this occurs, the cancer cell dies and its progressive dissemination in the body is hindered.

Be reminded that you are prohibited to use this chemotherapy drug if you are:

• Pregnant: There’s a possibility that the unborn infant may be harmed because of taking this drug. 
• Breastfeeding: Although there are no studies that suggest that the medication can be passed into the breast milk, it is still discouraged to be used when actively breastfeeding. 
• Trying to conceive: Taking this drug may cause fertility issues, hence why it’s not recommended to be taken if you’re planning to have a child.

You are also not allowed to use this if you have the following health conditions:

• Sepsis: Since a person with sepsis already has a low immune system, it is discouraged to take this medication because of how it can hinder bone marrow function which can make the body more susceptible to infections.
• Chronic lung disease: There can be an increased risk of pulmonary toxicity in using this drug. This can lead the patient to experience difficulties in breathing and other negative effects  that can be inflicted on the lungs.
• Rhabdomyolysis: As the aforementioned rare health condition causes muscles to break down, it’s not recommended to use this medication if you have it due to how it can worsen the injury and cause more damage to the muscles.
• Acute kidney injury: There are toxicity risks when it comes to taking this drug when you have this impairment. Considering that this medication is extracted to the kidneys, it’s unadvisable to use it as there can be build-up of the drug which increases poisoning effects.
• Grade 3 or 4 peripheral sensory neuropathy: Further nerve damage may happen if you use this drug with this health condition.
• Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES): Using this medication may lead to experiencing neurotoxic side effects. This means the patient may be more prone to developing neurological impairments like cerebral edema, seizures, and the like. 
• Platinum hypersensitivity: This medication is a platinum-containing chemotherapy drug. If you’re sensitive to platinum-based drugs, severe allergy reactions may be triggered like anaphylaxis.

Further, be transparent regarding your complete medical history to ensure that this medication is safe for you. Tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Are allergic to oxaliplatin
• Have kidney issues
• Have bone marrow problems
• Have nerve disorders
• Have heart-related problems or have a family history of it
• Have potassium or magnesium deficiency

Don’t forget to mention the other medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements that you’re currently taking as well. This is for your doctor to know what the right dosage to prescribe you or if the medication that you’re currently using is safe to be taken with oxaliplatin. 

Also, refrain from getting immunizations while using this drug (or even after you have stopped doing so) without getting an approval from your healthcare provider.

Q: What is the drug oxaliplatin used for?

A: This medicine is a chemotherapy drug that is used to treat cancer, specifically colorectal cancer. However, it may also be used to treat other types of cancer with the usage of other cancer medicines for more effectiveness. It works in treating cancer by interfering with the DNA replication process of cancer cells, inhibiting them from dividing and growing, which eventually leads to cell death.

Q: How long can you stay on oxaliplatin?

A: It depends on the patient and the type of cancer being treated with this medicine. However, if used for the adjuvant therapy for stage III colon cancer, it can typically take 6 months of treatment (or a total of 12 cycles). Each case may differ still though, and your doctor may prescribe you to either have a longer or shorter treatment based on how you react to the chemotherapy drug.

Q: Is oxaliplatin chemotherapy or immunotherapy?

A: This medicine is chemotherapy, not immunotherapy. As its primary mechanism of action is damaging the DNA of cancer cells, in turn preventing them from cloning and multiplying itself, it is categorized to be a chemotherapy drug.

Q: Where can I buy oxaliplatin in the Philippines?

A: You can buy oxaliplatin in any pharmaceutical establishment in the Philippines. There are local pharmacies like Getmeds Online Pharmacy that have their own inhouse cancer medicine, OxaliGet, which you can purchase at an affordable price.

Q: What is the oxaliplatin price in the Philippines?

A: A vial of oxaliplatin costs depending on the pharmacy you’re buying it from. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, you can visit Getmeds Online Pharmacy to check their wide selection of OTC products and prescription medicine.

Q: Can I buy oxaliplatin online in the Philippines?

A: Yes, you can buy this intravenous medication online in the Philippines. There are online pharmacies that take orders online and provide the option of having the medicine delivered to your doorstep.