Chemotherapy can cause side effects that are unpleasant. Many of these can be treated or prevented and most of them will go away when your treatment stops.
There are many common side effects, but it's unlikely you'll have all of them.
Common side effects of chemotherapy include:
- feeling tired
- feeling sick and getting sick
- hair loss
- an increased risk of picking up infections
- a sore mouth
- dry, sore or itchy skin
- diarrhoea or constipation
- bruising and bleeding
- memory and concentration problems
If you have chemoradiation your side effects can be worse.
You may have late effects from chemotherapy. These are side effects that do not go away, or that develop months or years after treatment.
If you have side effects
Tell your healthcare team if you have any side effects from treatment.
They may be able to give you medicines to prevent or treat some side effects.
Urgent advice: Contact a SOS hotline immediately if you have:
- a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or above
- a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius or below
- new pain
- hot and cold shivers
- flu symptoms - such as muscle aches and pain
- vomiting that continues despite taking anti-sickness medicine
- 4 or more bouts of diarrhoea in a day
- bleeding gums or nose
- bleeding from another part of the body that does not stop after applying pressure for 10 minutes
- mouth ulcers that stop you eating or drinking
- swelling in your arms or legs
- skin changes or rashes
- concerns about side effects or symptoms
If you become unwell outside of your clinic's working hours, contact a GP out-of-hours service or go to your local emergency department (ED).
Report side effects
You can report any suspected side effects to the the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA): report an issue - hpra.ie
Taking other medicines
Check with your healthcare team before you take any other medicines.
This includes:
- medicines you are prescribed by your GP
- medicine you buy from a pharmacy
- herbal remedies
Other medicines could affect how well your chemotherapy works and could cause dangerous side effects.
How to find out more about your medicines
To get detailed information about a specific medicine:
- ask your healthcare team for information
- check your patient information leaflet
Chemotherapy and pregnancy
Many types of chemotherapy will effect an unborn baby. Do not get pregnant or get someone else pregnant when you are having chemotherapy.
Use a condom - even if you or your partner is taking contraception.
Your care team will explain the risks of becoming pregnant or getting someone else pregnant if you are having chemotherapy.
Urgent advice: Contact your care team immediately if
you're having chemotherapy and:
- you or your sexual partner have become pregnant
Contraception - sexualwellbeing.ie
Chemotherapy and infections
Chemotherapy can reduce your body's ability to fight infection. This makes you more likely to pick up infections that could make you seriously ill.
Ways to protect yourself against infection
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water - particularly after going to the toilet and before preparing food and eating.
- Try to avoid close contact with people who have an infection such as chickenpox or flu.
- Have the annual flu vaccine.
- Get the COVID-19 vaccines.
You may need an antibiotic to reduce your risk of developing an infection.