The short answer
Cisplatin is a type of chemotherapy (a platinum drug). It contains platinum that binds to and damages the DNA inside cancer cells, so they can no longer copy themselves and they die. Its FDA label covers advanced testicular, ovarian and bladder cancer, and it is also used off-label in other cancers; it is usually given as an IV infusion. Like all cancer medicines it can cause side effects; this page explains the common ones and the warning signs to report. It is educational only and not a substitute for your care team's advice.
Cisplatin is the generic name of this medicine.
It is a type of chemotherapy (a platinum drug) — it contains platinum that binds to and damages the DNA inside cancer cells, so they can no longer copy themselves and they die.
Its FDA label covers advanced testicular, ovarian and bladder cancer; its use in other cancers is off-label.
It is usually given as an IV infusion.
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The whole article, with every detail and caution.
This page is for people starting cisplatin, a platinum chemotherapy drug, and the people who support them. It covers what it is used for, what a treatment day involves, the main risks, and when to call for help.
Three cancers on the label
The US label for cisplatin is short. It covers advanced testicular cancer, advanced ovarian cancer and advanced bladder cancer. The National Cancer Institute lists the same three.
Doctors also use cisplatin for other cancers. This is called off-label use. It is fair to ask your team what the evidence is behind your own plan.
What a cisplatin day involves
Blood tests come first, then anti-sickness medicine, then fluids, then the drug itself, then more fluids. Plan for most of a day and bring something to do.
The label says sickness can start within hours, peak 2 to 3 days later, and last up to a week. Ask your team how to use the anti-sickness tablets you are sent home with. Eye problems, allergic reactions and a second leukemia are also listed in the label.
Fluids before, during and after
Cisplatin is hard on the kidneys, and water is the main defense. Expect a bag of fluid before the drug, more alongside it, and more afterwards. That is why a cisplatin day runs long. The label says fluids and urine flow should be kept up for 24 hours after the drug. Ask your team how much to drink at home.
Kidney blood tests and blood salts, magnesium in particular, are checked before each cycle. Tell the team about every other medicine you take, since the label warns that other drugs that harm the kidneys raise the risk.
The boxed warning in plain terms
A boxed warning is the strongest safety warning on a US drug label. Four risks are named in cisplatin's boxed warning.
- Kidney damage, which can be severe and builds up over cycles. Fluids and dose changes are how it is managed.
- Nerve damage in the hands and feet, which also gets worse with repeated courses.
- Severe sickness and vomiting, which is why strong anti-sickness medicine is always given first.
- Very low blood counts, which have led to fatal infections.
Hearing checks and numbness that lasts
Cisplatin can damage hearing. The damage adds up over cycles and may be severe. It shows up as ringing in the ears, loss of high-pitched sounds, or trouble hearing normal talk. The label suggests checking hearing and balance. Children are more vulnerable than adults. Report ringing, muffled sound, or trouble following speech in a noisy room as soon as it starts.
Numbness and pins and needles in fingers and toes follow the same pattern. Struggling with buttons, keys, or feeling the floor underfoot all count. Saying so early gives the team room to adjust the dose before the change becomes permanent.
When to get help sooner
- Call 911 or go to an emergency department if a rash, wheeze, throat tightness or faintness begins during or soon after the drip. The label warns against giving it again (rechallenge) after a severe reaction, and notes that reactions can carry across to other platinum drugs. Do not drive yourself.
- Call your cancer team at once, at any hour, if your temperature reaches 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or you get shaking chills and feel unwell. Very low counts on cisplatin have led to fatal infections, and for CDC, a fever during chemotherapy counts as a medical emergency. If you cannot get through quickly, go to an emergency department and say on arrival that you are on cisplatin.
- Seek emergency care right away if you suddenly cannot pass any urine. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911.
- Call your care team right away if you pass far less urine than usual, your face, hands or legs swell, or you cannot keep fluids down. The label warns cisplatin can cause kidney failure.
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have black, tarry stools, vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or have heavy bleeding. Do not drive yourself if you feel very unwell.
- Call your care team right away if your ears ring, sound goes muffled, you lose the thread of speech in a noisy room, or you feel dizzy. Do the same for pain, burning, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet. MedlinePlus says to call your doctor immediately for these. Both can build up over cycles, and nerve damage may be permanent. Do not change or stop doses yourself.
Sources
Common questions
What is Cisplatin?
Cisplatin is a type of chemotherapy (a platinum drug). It contains platinum that binds to and damages the DNA inside cancer cells, so they can no longer copy themselves and they die. Its FDA label covers advanced testicular, ovarian and bladder cancer, and it is also used off-label in other cancers.
How is Cisplatin given?
It is usually given as an IV infusion. It is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion — a slow drip into a vein — at a clinic or hospital, usually repeated on a schedule of cycles with rest periods in between. The exact schedule is set by your care team.
What are the common side effects of Cisplatin?
Commonly reported side effects include nausea and vomiting, low blood counts, tiredness, kidney effects, and ringing in the ears or hearing changes. Not everyone gets them, and many can be managed. Tell your care team about anything new or worsening.
Does Cisplatin cure cancer?
That depends on the person, the cancer type, and its stage. For some people a medicine like this can control cancer for a long time or be part of a curative plan; for others the goal is to slow the cancer or ease symptoms. Your care team can explain the goal in your situation.
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Sources last checked: 2026-08-13 what this meansLast updated: 2026-09-30Next planned review: 2027-01-14
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Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes, and this is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status: Editorial review complete — This page completed Cancer Explained's editorial checks (sources, safety, plain language, duplication). It has not been reviewed by a physician or other healthcare professional.
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