Chemotherapy Drug: Chemotherapy is a medicine used in the treatment of cancer. This medicine stops cancer cells from growing and kills them. Chemotherapy drugs are considered dangerous to those who handle or come in contact with them. This is why there are safety rules and precautions for people handling chemo drugs.
This is the reason why the medical team treating cancer and taking care of patients uses special clothes and safety tools. Pharmacists who prepare chemo medicines use a special type of pharmacy, which has to fulfill certain rules.
Why is poison written on chemo medicine?
Chemotherapy medicine is not poison. This medicine is used in the treatment of cancer. But ‘poison’ is written on the bottles of these medicines, because these medicines are very powerful, their misuse can be dangerous. Therefore, it is written as a warning to use it with caution.
Precautions in oral chemo
Oral chemo, or chemo that you take by mouth or swallow, is usually taken at home. These are also considered dangerous. Special precautions are taken for their storage and maintenance. You may be asked to be careful. Others are advised not to come in contact with it or body fluids while taking it. Sometimes you need to wear gloves when handling tablets or capsules.
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Some medicines need to be kept in the same bottle or container in which they come and some medicines and their accompanying packages need to be disposed of as per the guidelines. Some have to be returned to the drug store for safe disposal. In such a situation, talk to the cancer care team about special precautions regarding oral chemo. For more information, see Oral or Topical Chemotherapy.
Save family and friends
Family and friends should also be kept safe during and after taking chemo. Family and friends often stay with you during treatment. In such a situation, they should be careful, because only the patient should come in contact with the chemo. Because if it gets on any skin, it can cause problems. Spilled IV chemo, any powder from a pill or capsule, or any liquid from oral or other types of chemo can be dangerous to those nearby.
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What to do during and 48 to 72 hours after chemo
It takes about 48 to 72 hours for the body to get rid of chemo drugs. Most medications are excreted in waste such as urine, stool, tears, sweat and vomit. When chemo drugs or their wastes are outside the body, they can damage the skin or cause irritation. Other people and pets can be affected if they come in contact with any waste from your body.
How to protect people around you from chemo drugs
1. Do not allow children to go to the bathroom you use.
2. Flush twice after going to the toilet. Place lid down before flushing to avoid splashes. If possible, use a separate toilet yourself.
3. Wear gloves to clean the toilet seat after every use.
4. Always wash hands with hot water and soap after going to the toilet. Dry thoroughly.
5. If you vomit in the toilet, clean thoroughly. Wash the things kept there thoroughly with hot water and soap.
6. If there is a need to touch any body liquid or the caregivers have to do so, then two pairs of gloves should always be worn.
7. If the caregiver comes in contact with any of your body fluids, they should wash thoroughly with warm water and soap.
8. Any clothing or bedsheets that have body fluids on them should be washed in your washing machine, not by hand.
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