Can you take chemotherapy at home

Many types of chemotherapy are given intravenously, meaning through an IV or by injection, into your bloodstream. But there are types of chemotherapy that patients take in pill or liquid form by mouth in the comfort of their own home.

These medicines are just as strong and work just as well as cancer medications you receive at a hospital. It's very important that you talk to your team about your side effects. Some cancer centres have a hour number you can call at any time for advice.

In Scotland, you may be given the number of the Cancer Treatment Helpline. It is very important to keep the numbers somewhere safe and to follow the contact advice you have been given by the chemotherapy nurse or cancer doctor.

You could save the numbers in:. How chemotherapy is given. Chemotherapy can be given in different ways depending on the type of cancer you have and your treatment plan. On this page. Where you have chemotherapy Depending on the type of chemotherapy, people may have it in different places: in a chemotherapy day unit or outpatient clinic during a stay in hospital at home.

Chemotherapy day units Chemotherapy drugs into a vein intravenous are usually given to you by nurses in a chemotherapy day unit. But you may have to wait: for blood tests results for your chemotherapy drugs to be prepared and checked to see your cancer doctor. You can take things with you to help pass the time like a book, music or playing cards. Chemotherapy in hospital Some chemotherapy treatments are more complicated or take longer. Chemotherapy at home Sometimes, specialist chemotherapy nurses visit people at home to give intravenous chemotherapy.

If you are having chemotherapy at home as tablets or through a pump, there are certain things to remember: Store your medicines safely Chemotherapy tablets, capsules or injections may need to be stored in a particular way, such as in the fridge. Always follow the instructions given by your nurse or pharmacist.

Be aware of other people at home Other people in your household should avoid direct contact with your chemotherapy drugs and avoid picking them up with bare hands. All drugs must be stored out of the reach of children, as they could cause serious harm if taken by accident. Follow instructions if your pump leaks If you are having intravenous chemotherapy by pump and you notice the drug leaking from the pump or tube, you should close the clamps on the pump, wrap it in a plastic bag and wash your hands.

Some hospitals provide a spill or leakage kit, which includes instructions on what to do if your pump leaks. You should then contact the nurse or doctor at the hospital straight away. Keep your contact numbers close by If you feel unwell at any time of the day or night, use the contact numbers you have been given to get advice. Chemotherapy into a vein Chemotherapy drugs given into a vein intravenously can be delivered in different ways. It can be given through: a cannula — a short, thin tube put into a vein in your arm or the back of your hand a central line — a long, thin tube inserted into a vein in your chest a PICC peripherally inserted central venous catheter put into a vein in the arm and threaded through to a vein in the chest an implantable port portacath put into a vein, with an opening port under the skin on your chest or arm.

As an injection The chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into a vein through your cannula or central line over a few minutes. As a drip through pump The chemotherapy drugs are dissolved in a bag of fluid and given to you as a drip that runs through an infusion pump.

As a drip on its own Sometimes chemotherapy is given through a drip without a pump. Through a small portable pump Some types of chemotherapy are given over a few days and are set up at the hospital, so you can go home with it. If a chemotherapy drug leaks If a drug leaks into the area around the vein while being given, this is called extravasation. Other ways of having chemotherapy There are other ways you can have chemotherapy, apart from into a vein intravenously.

By mouth oral chemotherapy. It is very important to: read the labels on the drug boxes before you leave the hospital and speak to your nurse, doctor or pharmacist if any instructions are unclear take your drugs exactly as prescribed, because not taking them at the right times can affect how well treatment works contact your nurse or doctor at the hospital straight away for advice if you cannot take your medicines for any reason, are sick after taking them, or have forgotten to take a dose.

Injection into a muscle or skin. Some drugs are given by injection under the skin subcutaneous using a very fine needle. Where can you learn more? Top of the page. What is chemotherapy? Some of them may cause symptoms such as: Fatigue. A rash. Hair loss. Pain or tingling in your hands or the soles of your feet. Use care Chemo medicines are powerful chemicals. Take your medicines safely When you take a pill, pour it from the bottle into the bottle cap, a spoon, or a disposable medicine cup.

Then tip it into your mouth and swallow. Don't crush, break, or chew the pills. Talk to your doctor if it is hard for you to swallow them. Don't change or skip a dose, unless your doctor says to. Call your doctor right away if you miss a dose or take too much. If you vomit a dose of your medication soon after you take it, call your doctor right away. Store your medicines safely Store your chemo medicines in the containers they came in.

Don't let the chemo pills touch other medicines. Don't store your chemo medicines near food or drinks or in places where you eat. Don't store them in direct sun or in damp places. Keep your medicine in a locked cabinet if you can. Or keep it on a high shelf out of the reach of children.

Make sure the containers have childproof lids. Be safe with body fluids The chemicals in the medicine leave your body through vomit, urine, or stool. For the first 3 days after treatment: Use a different toilet from the rest of the household, if available. Make a difference in the fight against cancer by donating to cancer research.

Call us anytime. Coronavirus keeping you home? Here are some issues to consider: The chemotherapy required to treat your cancer may not be made in a pill or liquid oral dosage. Talk to your oncologist to see if your medication is available or whether switching to one is an option. Chemotherapy drugs may be very toxic, and your bodily fluids may be, too, after taking them.