Chemotherapy tablets or capsules

This page tells you about chemotherapy tablets or capsules. There is information about

Taking chemo tablets or capsules
Storing your chemo
Getting information

You may have chemotherapy tablets or capsules to take at home. They may be all the treatment you need or you may have intravenous drugs as well. The medical or nursing staff will tell you

When to take the tablets or capsules
How often to take them
Whether or not to take them with food

You should touch the tablets as little as possible and wash your hands after touching them. If someone is helping you to take them, they should wear gloves.

If you forget to take your tablets, don't take a double dose the next day. And don't take them for longer than the planned time. Get advice from your doctor on what to do.

If you can't take your tablets as prescribed for any reason, or if you are sick soon after taking your tablets, contact your cancer specialist or chemotherapy nurse for advice.

Chemotherapy is excreted by the body in urine and stool, so flush your toilet each time you use it.

Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how to store your tablets or capsules safely at home. Some drugs need to be kept in the fridge and some don't. Wherever you keep your drugs, make sure that children or pets can't get at them. Ideally, they should be kept in a locked cupboard if there are children around.

If you have any unused tablets for any reason, they must be taken back to the pharmacy.

There is more information about individual drugs and combination regimens in our cancer drugs section. The cancer organisations list also has information about cancer information organisations that offer help and advice. There are also books and booklets about chemotherapy, some of which are free.