Cancer drugs
Hair loss or sickness are common examples of side effects people think they might get with cancer drugs. But not all cancer drugs have these side effects. There are many different side effects to a drug and how often they can happen is different.
It is important to remember that you won’t get all the side effects listed for a particular drug. You might get one or a few side effects. Or you might get only very mild side effects. But unfortunately, it is not possible for anyone to say beforehand:
whether you will have a particular side effect
when the side effect will start or stop
how bad it will be for you
Side effects depend on many factors including:
which drugs you are having
how long you have been taking the drug
your general health
the dose (amount of drug)
the way you have the drug (for example, as a tablet or injection)
if you are having any other drugs or cancer treatments
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will give you information about each drug before you start. But if not ask them to write down the names of your drugs so that you can look each one up.
Find out about the side effects of a cancer drug from our Cancer Drugs A-Z list
Many side effects last for a short time or gradually disappear after treatment finishes. Some can be long term and irreversible.
Before you start your treatment your healthcare team goes through what to expect and the likely side effects of the drugs you are having.
It can feel daunting or scary to hear about possible side effects. But it is important to know what might happen so you are prepared. Your healthcare team will give you key information on what to do, who to call and when to call.
Your healthcare team can help manage side effects and prevent them from getting severe. They are experienced in cancer treatment. They know if you need medicines before, during or after taking a cancer drug.
Let your doctor, nurse or pharmacist know if you notice anything that isn’t normal for you while on a cancer drug. If medicines to prevent a side effect aren’t working let them know, there is usually an alternative you can have.
How well your treatment is working does not depend on the amount of side effects you’re having. So, for example if you have a few minor side effects, your treatment can be working as well as someone who has many side effects.
Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and patients can report any side effects of drugs. They report it to the government's drug safety watchdog. The organisation is called the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The safety system of the MHRA is called the Yellow Card Scheme. This scheme helps to monitor medicine safety. It collects information about new or suspected side effects or drug reactions.
The Yellow Card Scheme is unable to give medical advice. So if you are worried about side effects from any drugs you are taking or have recently been taking contact your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Read more about the Yellow Card Scheme
Cancer drugs can cause bruising, bleeding, an increased risk of infection and breathlessness. There are treatments that can help and precautions you can take.
Some cancer drugs may cause you to feel or be sick. There are treatments that can help and ways you can support yourself.
Hair loss or hair thinning can happen with some cancer drugs. Find out about ways to reduce hair loss and things you can do to help you cope.
Some cancer drugs can cause tiredness and low energy (fatigue). There are tips on ways to help you manage and cope with it.
Your appetite or taste might change with some cancer drugs. Find out about the things you can do to help you cope with these changes.
Diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion and heartburn can all be side effects of taking cancer drugs. We have information on ways to help you cope with these side effects.
Some cancer drugs can cause a sore or dry mouth. There are treatments that can help and ways to help you manage this side effect.
Cancer drugs can cause changes to your skin and nails. We have information about some of the changes that can happen and tips that can help you cope.
Some cancer drugs can cause changes to your sex life and stop you from being able to have a child (fertility). Find out about the cancer drugs that can affect your sex life and fertility.
Some cancer drugs can change the way your kidneys, liver, heart or lungs work. Your doctor will do regular tests to check how well they work.
Some cancer drugs can affect the way your nerves work. The changes can cause different symptoms depending on the nerves that are affected.
Some cancer drugs can cause changes to your eyes and your eyesight. There might be treatment that can help and tips to help you cope.
Some cancers or cancer treatments can change the amount of sex hormones the body produces. Sex hormones include oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Changes to the levels of these hormones can cause symptoms. But there are things you can do and treatments to help you cope with these symptoms.
Cognitive changes include problems with memory, concentration and how a person can think. It is also known as chemo brain or chemo fog. Find out more about chemo brain, ways of coping and research looking into it.
Immune cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) is a treatable and usually reversable side effect of some immunotherapy treatments. CAR T-cell therapy is the most common cause of ICANS, but it can happen with other treatments.
Immunotherapy treatment is the most common cause of the side effect cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Some of these immunotherapy treatments that can cause CRS include CAR T-cell therapy, monoclonal antibodies and checkpoint inhibitors.
Last reviewed: 13 Jul 2026
Next review due: 13 Jul 2029
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Connect with other people affected by cancer and share your experiences.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
