Oxaliplatin is one of a group of drugs called alkylating agents, which are a type of chemotherapy drugs. Oxaliplatin works by interfering with the development of DNA in a cancer cell. It stops cells from growing and multiplying and kills them. This drug is generally considered to be cell cycle phase nonspecific and is used to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Oxaliplatin is prescribed for some different types of cancer and is often used to treat advanced colorectal cancer.