Oral anti-cancer medicines 6: Storing and handling your OAMs

Do not handle these medications with your bare hands, always wear a pair of disposable gloves when handling the tablets or capsules. Avoid handling these medications if you are pregnant or you think you may be pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Store medication in the original container that it came in.

Before you take your anti-cancer medicines home, check with your pharmacist how to store your medication safely. It's very important to store the tablets or capsules in a secure place away from and out of sight of children, and away from pets to prevent serious harm if taken by accident.

The tablets or capsules should not be damaged when you get them, so check them before taking them out of the container.

If you have been prescribed oral chemotherapy medication, wash your hands thoroughly before and after taking them.

Any excess medication should be returned to the hospital for disposal. Double bag the empty pill containers or blister packs before disposal with your household waste.

Any use of non-mainstream practices, such as complementary or alternative practices, should be made known to your pharmacist and the treatment team. This is important so that your pharmacist or treatment team can check for any risk of interaction with your treatment.