GC is the name of a chemotherapy combination that includes: It is a treatment for a number of different types of cancer. These chemotherapy drugs destroy quickly dividing cells, such as cancer cells. You have these drugs into your bloodstream (intravenously). You might have treatment through a long plastic tube that goes into a large vein in your chest.
The tube stays in place throughout the course of treatment. This can be a: You might have treatment through a thin short tube (a cannula) that goes into a vein in your arm each time you have treatment. You usually have GC chemotherapy as cycles of treatment. Each cycle takes 3
weeks. You usually have between 4 to 6 cycles of treatment taking from 3 to 6 months. Day 1 Day 2 to 7
Day 8
Day 8 - bladder and bile duct cancer only
Day 9 to 21
You then start a new cycle of treatment. TestsYou have blood tests before and during your treatment. They check your levels of blood cells and other substances in the blood. They also check how well your liver and kidneys are working. Side effectsHow often and how severe the side effects are can vary from person to person. They also depend on what other treatments you're having. For example, your side effects could be worse if you're also having other drugs or radiotherapy. When to contact your teamYour doctor, nurse or pharmacist will go through the possible side effects. They will monitor you closely during treatment and check how you are at your appointments. Contact your advice line as soon as possible if:
Early treatment can help manage side effects better. Contact your doctor or nurse immediately if you have signs of infection, including a temperature above 37.5C or below 36C. We haven't listed all the side effects here. Remember it is very unlikely that you will have all of these side effects, but you might have some of them at the same time. Common side effectsThese side effects happen in more than 10 in 100 people (more than 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include: Increased risk of infectionIncreased risk of getting an infection is due to a drop in white blood cells. Symptoms include a change in temperature, aching muscles, headaches, feeling cold and shivery and generally unwell. You might have other symptoms depending on where the infection is. Infections can sometimes be life threatening. You should contact your advice line urgently if you think you have an infection. Bruising, bleeding gums or nose bleedsThis is due to a drop in the number of platelets in your blood. These blood cells help the blood to clot when we cut ourselves. You may have nosebleeds or bleeding gums after brushing your teeth. Or you may have lots of tiny red spots or bruises on your arms or legs (known as petechiae). Breathlessness and looking paleYou might be breathless and look pale due to a drop in red blood cells. This is called anaemia. Changes to your hearingYou might have some hearing loss, especially with high pitched sounds. You might also have some ringing in your ears (tinnitus). Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any changes. Low levels of sodium in your bloodSodium is a salt, and having these drugs can lower its levels in your blood. The symptoms of low sodium include headache, feeling and being sick, confusion, and restlessness. The levels usually go back to normal when you finish treatment. You have regular blood tests to check this. Feeling or being sickFeeling or being sick is usually well controlled with anti sickness medicines. Avoiding fatty or fried foods, eating small meals and snacks, drinking plenty of water, and relaxation techniques can all help. It is important to take anti sickness medicines as prescribed even if you don’t feel sick. It is easier to prevent sickness rather than treating it once it has started. Liver changesYou might have liver changes that are usually mild and unlikely to cause symptoms. They usually go back to normal when treatment finishes. You have regular blood tests to check for any changes in the way your liver is working. Skin problemsSkin problems include a skin rash, dry skin and itching. This usually goes back to normal when your treatment finishes. Your nurse will tell you what products you can use on your skin to help. Hair thinning and hair lossYou may have some hair loss or hair thinning. This can be upsetting. Your hair might grow back once treatment has finished. Blood and protein in your urineSmall amounts of blood and protein in your urine may be found when your nurse tests your urine. This usually goes away on its own. If there are large amounts of protein you may have tests to check how well your kidneys are working. Flu-like symptomsYou may have headaches, muscle aches (myalgia), a high temperature and shivering. You should contact your advice line urgently if you have these symptoms. Taste changesTaste changes may make you go off certain foods and drinks. You may also find that some foods taste different from usual or that you prefer to eat spicier foods. Your taste gradually returns to normal a few weeks after your treatment finishes. Swelling of the face, hand, feet (oedema)You may have swelling of your face, hands and feet due to a build up of fluid (oedema). High temperature (fever)If you get a high temperature, let your health care team know straight away. Ask them if you can take paracetamol to help lower your temperature. Kidney changesYou might have some changes in the way your kidneys work. You have regular blood tests to check how well they are working. Occasional side effectsThese side effects happen in between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people (between 1 and 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
Rare side effectsThis side effects happens in fewer than 1 in 100 people (fewer than 1%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
Other side effectsFor more information about the side effects of individual drugs:
Coping with side effectsWe have more information about side effects and tips on how to cope with them. What else do I need to know?Other medicines, foods and drinkCancer drugs can interact with some other medicines and herbal products. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you are taking. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter remedies. Alcohol Some brands of gemcitabine contain alcohol (equal to half a glass of wine or half a pint of beer) and may make you drowsy or dizzy, especially if you have drunk alcohol. Don't operate machinery or drive if you feel drowsy. Sodium Cisplatin contains sodium (salt). You might need to keep this in mind if you are on a controlled sodium diet. Tell your doctor if you are on a low salt diet. Loss of fertilityThis treatment might stop you being able to father a child. Talk to your doctor before starting treatment if you think you may want to have a baby in the future. You may be able to store sperm before starting treatment. Pregnancy and contraceptionThis treatment may harm a baby developing in the womb. It is important not to become pregnant or father a child while you're having treatment and for at least 6 months afterwards. Talk to your doctor or nurse about effective contraception before starting treatment. BreastfeedingDon’t breastfeed during this treatment because the drugs may come through in your breast milk. Treatment for other conditionsAlways tell other doctors, nurses, pharmacists or dentists that you’re having this treatment if you need treatment for anything else, including teeth problems. ImmunisationsDon’t have immunisations with live vaccines while you’re having treatment and for up to 12 months afterwards. The length of time depends on the treatment you are having. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should avoid live vaccinations. In the UK, live vaccines include rubella, mumps, measles, BCG, yellow fever and one of the shingles vaccines called Zostavax. You can have:
Members of your household who are aged 5 years or over are also able to have the COVID-19 vaccine. This is to help lower your risk of getting COVID-19 while having cancer treatment and until your immune system recovers from treatment. Contact with others who have had immunisations - You can be in contact with other people who have had live vaccines as injections. Avoid close contact with people who have recently had live vaccines taken by mouth (oral vaccines) such as the oral typhoid vaccine. If your immune system is severely weakened, you should avoid contact with children who have had the flu vaccine as a nasal spray as this is a live vaccine. This is for 2 weeks following their vaccination. Babies have the live rotavirus vaccine. The virus is in the baby’s poo for about 2 weeks and could make you ill if your immunity is low. Get someone else to change their nappies during this time if you can. If this isn't possible, wash your hands well after changing their nappy. More information about this treatmentFor further information about this treatment go to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website. You can report any side effect you have to the Medicines Health and Regulatory Authority (MHRA) as part of their Yellow Card Scheme. What are the contraindications of cisplatin?Who should not take Cisplatin Vial?. a bad infection.. acute leukemia.. low amount of magnesium in the blood.. low amount of calcium in the blood.. low amount of sodium in the blood.. low amount of potassium in the blood.. hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that affects the kidney and the blood.. anemia.. When do cisplatin side effects start?Nausea and vomiting usually begin within 1 to 4 hours after treatment and last up to 24 hours. Various degrees of vomiting, nausea and/or anorexia may persist for up to 1 week after treatment.
What should I monitor with cisplatin?Monitoring and Testing While Taking Cisplatin:
Periodic blood work will be obtained to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) your electrolytes (such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium levels) as well as the function of other organs (such as your kidneys and liver) will also be ordered by your doctor.
What organs does cisplatin affect?Cisplatin (cis- diamminedichloroplatinum(II), CDDP) is an antineoplastic drug used in the treatment of many solid-organ cancers, including those of the head, neck, lung, testis, ovary, and breast.
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