[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Platinum compounds](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/platinum-compounds/) › Carboplatin [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Platinum compounds](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/platinum-compounds/) # Carboplatin A gentler cousin of cisplatin: the same DNA cross-links with far less kidney damage and vomiting, but more bone-marrow suppression. Updated 2026-11-01 - Class: [Platinum compounds](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/platinum-compounds/) - Target: DNA (N7 of guanine) - ATC code: L01XA02 - WHO Model List of Essential Medicines ## ⚠ High-alert medication An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used. ◆**DNA (N7 of guanine)**Carboplatin ⓘ The figure shows the cisplatin adduct. Carboplatin leaves the same diammine-platinum on DNA after losing its cyclobutane-dicarboxylate group, so the lesion is equivalent. **Target in 3D:** DNA (N7 of guanine). PDB structure 1AIO (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1AIO) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom ## Mechanism of action Carboplatin carries a cyclobutane-dicarboxylate leaving group that is displaced more slowly than cisplatin's chlorides. Once activated it forms the same platinum–DNA cross-links as cisplatin and causes equivalent lesions. The slower activation makes it less toxic to the kidney, ear and nerves, while bone-marrow suppression becomes the main toxicity. - Slow loss of the dicarboxylate leaving group - Platinum binds guanine N7 like cisplatin - DNA cross-links block replication - Dividing cells die; marrow takes the main hit ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** Intravenous only. **Elimination** Mainly by the kidneys, so exposure follows kidney function; the dose is calculated from the glomerular filtration rate (Calvert formula). ## Indications - Advanced ovarian carcinoma, first line in combination and for recurrence. [Ovarian cancer →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-cancer/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - Myelosuppression: thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and cumulative anaemia - Nausea and vomiting (milder than cisplatin) - Low magnesium and other electrolytes - Peripheral neuropathy, uncommon ### Serious (rare, important) - Severe bone-marrow suppression with infection or bleeding - Anaphylactic-like reactions within minutes of the infusion - Hearing loss and vision loss at higher-than-recommended doses ## Contraindications - History of severe allergic reactions to cisplatin, other platinum compounds or mannitol - Severe bone-marrow depression or significant bleeding ## Key interactions **Aminoglycosides** More kidney and hearing toxicity. **Other nephrotoxic drugs** Carboplatin may add to their kidney effects. **Other myelosuppressive therapy** Additive marrow suppression; dose and timing are adjusted. ## What is monitored - Blood counts frequently, until recovery - Kidney function (to calculate the dose) and electrolytes - Allergic reactions during every infusion ## Administration and safety - Look-alike risk with cisplatin: the name is read in full and the dose is checked against kidney function. - Never prepared or given with needles or sets that contain aluminium: aluminium makes it precipitate and lose potency. - Emergency drugs for anaphylaxis are at hand during every infusion. - Hazardous drug: prepared and given following hazardous-drug handling procedures (impervious gloves, no skin contact) and disposed of as cytotoxic waste. ## Nursing care - Independent double check of drug, patient, route and cycle before giving it (high-alert medicine). - Blood count before each cycle; fever with neutropenia is treated as an emergency. - Watch for flushing, rash, wheeze or low blood pressure during the infusion; stop and call for help if they appear. - Bleeding precautions when platelets are low (soft toothbrush, no injections in the muscle). - Teaching: report fever, chills, sore throat, bleeding or bruising at once. ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding May cause fetal harm (embryotoxic and teratogenic in animals); pregnancy is avoided during treatment. ## Memory aid CARBOplatin spares the kidney but «CARves the BOne marrow»: platelets fall first. Its dose is read from the kidney (Calvert). ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Compared with cisplatin, what is carboplatin's main dose-limiting toxicity? Myelosuppression, especially thrombocytopenia; kidney damage and vomiting are milder. ## Which patient value is used to calculate a carboplatin dose? Kidney function (glomerular filtration rate), using the Calvert formula and a target AUC. ## Minutes into a carboplatin infusion a patient develops flushing, wheeze and low blood pressure. What is the likely cause? A platinum hypersensitivity (anaphylactic-like) reaction; the infusion is stopped and it is treated with epinephrine, corticosteroids and antihistamines. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/carboplatin/) ## Related drugs - [Cisplatin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/cisplatin/) - [Oxaliplatin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/oxaliplatin/) ## Related conditions - [Ovarian cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-cancer/) [← Back to the class: Platinum compounds](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/platinum-compounds/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [DailyMed - CARBOPLATIN injection, solution](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5abfcb87-bb02-4384-9c9d-7d0e3e809311) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 70 (McGraw Hill, 2023); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L01XA02) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); [eEML - Electronic Essential Medicines List](https://list.essentialmeds.org/) (World Health Organization, 2025). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/carboplatin/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/carboplatin/