What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a drug, which is used to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is an anticancer drug which slows or stops the growth of cancer cells. It is a primary treatment to fight against cancer cells. Chemotherapy medication is also known as Cytotoxic or Anti-Cancer Medication.

There are various methods in medicine to treat the cancer cells through Chemotherapy.

1. Injection

2. Direct Placement (needle inserted between two lumbar bones)

3. Topically (through a cream applied on the skin)

4. Intravenously (directly inserting the medicine into veins)

5. Orally (by mouth as a pill or liquid)

Oral Chemotherapy is new in the market. Let us know about what exactly Oral Chemotherapy is.

What is Oral Chemotherapy?

As technology is improving the medication for cancer is also changing. People are trying Oral Chemotherapy very efficiently with the improvement in medicals.

Oral Chemotherapy is a drug taken by the patient in the form of a tablet, capsule or liquid. It is effective like traditional chemotherapy. Oral Chemotherapy has the same benefits and risk like the infusion of drug chemotherapy. Consuming medication for cancer through Oral Chemotherapy is much easier and painless as compared to the infusion chemotherapy.

A Patient doesn’t need to visit the hospital for chemotherapy. He can simply take the medicine with some precautionary steps and following the prescription advised by the specialized doctor. The dosage of medicine and the type of cancer you are fighting with can only be diagnosed by the doctor, so the doctor’s instructions are very important to be followed by the patient.

Whereas, the Oral Chemotherapy is much costly than traditional chemotherapy.

Take Precautions while handling the Pills

Wash your hands properly before and after handling the pill. Avoid taking the pill in hands, transfer pill on the cap of the bottle. If someone else is medicating you, then he or she needs to wear proper medical gloves. Only the patient should come in contact with the drug. Keep the medicine away from the reach of kids and pet animals.

 Always try to keep the medicine bottle at a safe and dry place. Store the medicine in the bottle only, no direct light should be over the bottle. Try to keep the bottle away from other medicines.

Don’t through the medicine anywhere or flush it down into the toilet. If not in use, store it at a safe place or return it to the pharmacy or the place where you purchased it from.

Follow Doctors instruction carefully

Always take your medicine on time, as prescribed by the doctor. Always be in contact with your doctor and report immediately if you feel any problem and changes. In many cases, after the chemo starts patient starts feeling uneasy and many other problems. So always try to consult the doctor first then go for further medication.

Try to stay away from people who are having a contaminable disease, because your immune system is very low at this time and the chances of catching the disease are very high. In a case, if you forgot to take the medicine on one day, then don’t try to take the double medicine on the next day. Just consult your doctor first. This act of self -action could be harmful to you.

The chemo will work effectively only when you take the medication properly and on time. A proper checkup is also needed at frequent interval, to monitor the progress and might need of changing the prescription.

Side Effects of Oral Chemotherapy

Side effects of Chemotherapy are very common and almost every patient experiences it during chemotherapy. Side effects vary from the medication you are taking. Each medicine shows different side effects on the patient. It may be mild or severe on the patient. Always discuss your problems with your doctor.

The side effect can be treated and preventive steps can also be taken, as suggested by the specialist. Common side effects include:

• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bowel changes (like diarrhea)
• Infection
• Hair Loss
• A Decrease in the count of Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, and Platelets
• Mouth Ulcer
• Skin Problem