Chemotherapy Safety in the Home

Introduction:

You are reading this because you or someone you are caring for is receiving chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is strong medicine used to fight cancer. While taking chemotherapy, it is safe to touch other people (including hugging or kissing).

However, special care is needed to protect others from contact with the medication. Follow these safety measures while you are taking your chemotherapy (whether by needle or as a pill) and for two days after you have finished.

How to Safely Prepare the Medication:

• Do not open capsules, crush tablets or cut pills. (If you have trouble swallowing pills, please let your doctor know. The medication may be available in a liquid form).
• Make a special work area away from children, pets, and food when preparing or giving chemotherapy.
• Prepare the medication away from windows, heat ducts, or fans.
• Cover the area on which you prepare the medication with a paper towel.
• Wash your hands before and after giving chemotherapy.
• Wash any areas that come into contact with the medicine with soap and water.

If you are caring for someone who is receiving chemotherapy:

Always wear rubber or disposable waterproof gloves when preparing or giving chemotherapy. (These can be found in most drug stores.)

• Avoid vinyl gloves.
• If you use rubber gloves, wash the outside with soapy water before removing them.
• If you use disposable gloves, remove them carefully, turning them inside out, then seal them in a plastic bag and throw into the trash.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after you take the gloves off.
• If possible, do not handle chemotherapy if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What Is the Proper Way to Store Chemotherapy Medication?

• Check the labels to see if the chemotherapy should be kept in the refrigerator or away from light.
• If refrigeration is needed, make a special area away from food items.
• Store the medication in a sealed plastic container or bag.

Can I Travel with Chemotherapy Medication?

Traveling with chemotherapy is usually not a problem. However, you may have to make special arrangements if the chemotherapy needs special storage, like refrigeration. Talk with your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist for more instructions.

Regardless of how you travel, you should always seal your chemotherapy medicine in a plastic bag.

Getting Rid of Body Waste:

It takes about 48 hours for your body to break down and/or get rid of most chemotherapy drugs. During this time, a small amount of chemotherapy comes out in your urine, stool, and vomit. There are many things you can do to keep your home safe from exposure to chemotherapy during and after treatment.

• If you are using a bedpan for body wastes or a container for vomiting, be careful not to splash or spill the contents while you are emptying them into the toilet.
• If the bedpan or container used for vomit is not disposable, rinse it with dishwashing or laundry detergent and water, and put the rinse water in the toilet. Flush the toilet with the lid down.
• Any sink or basin that is used for vomiting should be rinsed with dishwashing or laundry detergent and rinsed with water.
• Wash clothing or bed linens that have body wastes on them with laundry detergent and hot water, separately from the other laundry, as soon as possible. If you are unable to wash them immediately, place them in a sealed plastic bag until they can be washed.

If you are caring for someone who is receiving chemotherapy:

Always wear rubber or disposable waterproof gloves when you are cleaning or handling containers that are used for body waste. Always wash your hands with soap and water after you take the gloves off.

What should I do if I get body waste or chemotherapy on my skin?

If you get body waste or chemotherapy on your skin, wash

the area with soap and water for five minutes. Watch the

skin for the next seven days. If there is any redness or irritation,

contact your doctor.

What should I do if my eyes are splashed by body waste or chemotherapy?

• If your eyes are splashed by body waste or by chemotherapy, wash the eye with water or eye wash (artificial tears) for 15 minutes. Contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
• Contact the poison control center in your area for any other concerns.

How should I get rid of equipment and contaminated items?

• Use puncture-proof containers for sharp or breakable items. Dispose of needles and syringes intact. DO NOT BREAK OR RECAP NEEDLES.
• Place gloves and empty chemotherapy tubing or containers in a plastic bag and throw away with regular trash.
• Place syringes, tubing, or containers with any remaining chemotherapy into a closed container. Label the container with the “Hazardous Waste” label that has been provided.
• Chemotherapy is considered a hazardous waste. • Keep containers used for “Hazardous Waste” away from children, pets, and food.