Oral Antineoplastic Chemotherapy

Abstract

Although most cancer medicines are administered parenterally, there has been an increase in the availability of oral antineoplastics. Oral antineoplastics offer several advantages, including ease of administration, convenience and cost savings. Disadvantages may include reduced patient supervision, concordance issues, inappropriate patient selection and unpredictable bioavailability. A number of safety issues, including storage and prevention of medication errors, must also be addressed. Safe handling techniques must be optimised to minimise occupational exposure. Pharmacists are in an ideal position to educate patients/carers to ensure concordance to therapy and guarantee the safe and effective use of oral antineoplastics. J Pharm Pract Res 2005; 35: 195-8.

Evaluation of the addition of video-based education for patients receiving standard pre-chemotherapy education

“…With advancements in chemotherapy to oral preparations, patients are required to spend even more 'on treatment time' in the home environment plus manage their side effects in the community with even less connection to the treatment centre (Gilbar & Carrington 2005). With advancements in chemotherapy to oral preparations, patients are required to spend even more 'on treatment time' in the home environment plus manage their side effects in the community with even less connection to the treatment centre (Gilbar & Carrington 2005).…”

A critical ethnography of communication processes involving the management of oral chemotherapeutic agents by patients with a primary diagnosis of colorectal cancer: study protocol

“…These preparations of chemotherapy, known as oral chemotherapy, oral chemotherapeutic agents or oral anticancer agents are as potent as intravenous chemotherapy but, unlike intravenous chemotherapy, are usually taken by the patient away from the hospital setting without nursing supervision (Partridge et al . , Gilbar & Carrington ).…”

“…Birner () concurs that all patients on oral chemotherapeutic medications must be able to recognize symptoms that can be self‐managed and have knowledge about when medical intervention is required. As most patients who take oral chemotherapy reside in the community setting, which may preclude opportunities for professional monitoring, it is imperative that they have all the information needed to not only achieve chemotherapeutic levels, but also to maintain safety (Gilbar & Carrington ). The consequences of errors in self‐administration of oral chemotherapeutic agents can be catastrophic, leading to serious outcomes and even death (Moore et al .…”

“…While this invariably benefits the health service as it reduces the number of hospital admissions, it also greatly benefits the patient. Oral therapy avoids the need for intravenous cannulation, which is a major source of anxiety for some patients (Gilbar & Carrington ) and also can go some way towards reducing hospital‐acquired infection as the person with cancer will spend less time in hospital. These benefits have also been highlighted as optimum care for patients in receipt of cancer care (Department of Health (DOH) ).…”

“…O'Neill and Twelves (), Partridge et al . () and Gilbar and Carrington () suggest further benefits of oral chemotherapy, whereby efficacy is enhanced through continuous drug exposure, its ease of combination with radiation therapy and in the case of a palliative oncology, a person with cancer can have benefits of chemotherapy in their own home. Treatment with oral chemotherapy can give people with cancer a level of autonomy in being responsible for administering their medication.…”