Treatment by mouth (oral therapies)

Some chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs are taken by mouth, as a tablet or capsule. These are known as oral therapies.

After you take the drug, it is absorbed into your blood stream and carried around your body. Oral therapies are just as effective as drugs given into a vein (intravenous drugs).

• Your oncologist or a member of your medical team will prescribe the medication. 
• The hospital pharmacist will dispense the medication to you. The pharmacist will check the drugs carefully to make sure they are the right ones for you.
• You and a family member or carer will attend an oral therapy information session. You will also be provided with written information.

Your doctor or nurse will explain:

• When to take the tablets or capsules
• How often to take them
• Whether to take them with food or not
• How to handle the tablets
• How to store them, for example, in a fridge or cool place
• What to do if you forget to take your tablets

You may find a patient diary or phone reminders useful to help you keep track of your medication. 

It also important to keep track of any side-effects. This will also help you to remember what to tell the doctor or nurse when you are in the hospital. 

• Never touch the tablets/capsules with your bare hands. They may cause skin irritation. Place them in a spoon or small cup instead. Wash your hands afterwards. If someone is helping you, make sure they wear gloves. Store the tablets in a safe place and keep them away from children.
• If you cannot take your tablets for any reason or if you are sick soon afterwards, contact your doctor or nurse immediately for advice. If you forget to take your tablets, don’t take a double dose the next day.
• The drug prescription given to you by your doctor will be for a full course of treatment. You must take them exactly as prescribed. 
• If you need more supplies, talk to your hospital doctor, who can contact your local pharmacy.

• Avoid direct contact with the drugs.
• Wear gloves when handling clothing or bedsheets soiled with vomit or diarrhoea.
• Check with your pharmacist or nurse on how the tablets or capsules should be stored.
• Store all drugs out of reach of children to prevent serious harm if taken by accident.
• If another person or child takes your tablets by mistake, contact a doctor straight away.
• If you feel sick or unwell at any time, phone the nurse or doctor at the hospital for advice.

Our oral anti-cancer medicines videos are for patients who are due to begin treatment shortly.

You can watch our oral anti-cancer medicines videos online in your own time