There are not too many that are first line head and neck chemo drugs, so you will not have lots of options. Cisplatin is the big gun and most used. It does have some side effects you have to watch for. I'll let others here tell you about the potential for hearing loss in some patients. You need to let the docs know if you develop ringing in your ears after the first go with it (tinnitus). Paclitaxel (Taxol) is one of the fall back drugs for people that develop this side effect with cisplatin. The other main drug is Carboplatin. All of these drugs are based on the same method of action. There have been some multiple drug cocktails used in various institutions with varying degrees of results. 5FU is often added to the cocktail ideas. Bottom line for me would be to go with the drug that has the longest history of efficacy when used with radiation in H&N, and that would be Cisplatin. But this is a very individual choice between you and your doctors.