Oral chemotherapy involves administering the antineoplastic medication through the mouth, usually in the form of a pill, capsule, or liquid, as we do at Oncoclínicas.
One of the great advantages of this chemotherapy is that it can be done at home, without the need for the patient to go to the hospital or clinic for each application. Additionally, it does not require intravenous application or catheter implantation.
The doctor or nurse in charge of the treatment will instruct the patient on how to take the medication, including details such as timing, whether it should be taken on an empty stomach, with specific foods or liquids, among other instructions.
Although this treatment is done at home, monitoring the patient’s progress and evaluating adverse effects should be ongoing.
Types of oral chemotherapy
The most common types of oral chemotherapy agents are:
- Ribociclib, palbociclib;
- Anastrozole, letrozole, tamoxifen;
- Capecitabine;
- Erlotinib, gefitinib, osimertinib, crizotinib, alectinib;
- Imatinib;
- Abiraterone, enzalutamide, apalutamide;
- Procarbazine, temozolomide; and
- Sunitinib, pazopanib, axitinib.
Applications and indications of oral chemotherapy
Oral chemotherapy is recommended for the treatment of various types of cancer. In some cases, it completely replaces intravenous chemotherapy, while in others it only complements it. When administered as monotherapy, it is typically the sole treatment being used.
Some examples of the use of oral chemotherapy are kidney cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, brain cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia, colon cancer, and lung cancer. Only a doctor can individually evaluate each patient and decide if this type of medication is pertinent to the treatment plan.
Routine with oral chemotherapy
It is of utmost importance that the patient commits to the scheduled times for taking their oral chemotherapy, strictly following the recommendations regarding timing and dosages.
This is because the medication may be less effective if a dose is missed or taken at the wrong time (with intervals that are too close together or too far apart). Taking the wrong dose can also render the medication ineffective or lead to serious adverse events (in the case of overdose).
It is also worth noting that oral chemotherapy, taken at home, is as serious and effective as chemotherapy administered in a clinic or hospital, with the same power of action. The difference is that the patient must take full responsibility for the timing and doses, as there is no nurse or other professional to assist them at home. Therefore, the instructions must be strictly followed.
Manipulation and storage
Handling and storing oral chemotherapy safely is important because these medications are very strong. Here are some tips:
- Wash hands with soap and water before and after taking oral chemotherapy;
- Keep all tablets or capsules whole;
- Do not break, divide, or crush the medication;
- Store the medication in the original packaging and away from areas where food is handled;
- Avoid storing them in the bathroom cabinet (due to moisture) or next to the window (where they are exposed to heat and sunlight);
- Do not reuse medication containers for other purposes. When the medicine is finished, throw away its container; and
- Keep medications out of the reach of children and pets.
Possible adverse effects and complications
Most people treated with oral chemotherapy report adverse effects. It is essential to report them to the doctor or nurse in charge of the chemotherapy department, as infections and other illnesses can be aggravated in a person undergoing this treatment.
Some of the adverse effects that may occur during the use of oral chemo are:
- Hair loss;
- Changes in the skin;
- Mouth sores;
- Unexplained bruising;
- Fatigue;
- Nausea and/or vomiting; and
- Diarrhea.
Adverse effects vary from patient to patient. Additionally, the use of other medications alongside chemotherapy can exacerbate them. Therefore, the professionals involved in the treatment should know all the medications the patient is taking, even if they are herbal or natural.
