Question

The nurse instructs a patient receiving oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin to avoid consuming cold drinks and food for three to four days after therapy to prevent:

Answer 1

Oxaliplatin is a platinum coordination complex.Though it doesn't produce carbonium ion and alkylate the DNA,it covalently binds to nucleophilic sites on DNA ,and share similar pharmacological properties with alkylating agents.

It is commonly used for head and neck cancer,esophageal ,colon and lung cancer.It is given along with flourouracil and leucovorin as intravenous infusion

One of the major dose limiting adverse effect of oxaliplatin is peripheral neuropathy characterised by tingling,numbness of upper and lower extremities,mouth and throat.Its acute form is trigerred by cold.Hence it is advised to avoid cold food and drinks for three to four days after therapy.Other adverse effects are difficulty in breathing, swallowing, tightness of chest,jaw spasm etc. All these are triggered by cold exposure. Hence the patient should also close the nose and mouth in cold weather to avoid entry of cool air to lungs.