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Hair thinning or loss 

• Use a gentle soft brush; care should be taken with hair sprays, bleaches, dyes and perms.
• Your hair usually grows back after your treatment ends, but the texture or colour may change.

Constipation

• Eat a balanced diet with fibres such whole grains, fruit and raw vegetables.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Try light exercise regularly.
• Speak to your doctor if no bowel movement for 3 or more days.
• Also see Constipation Pamphlet.*

Nausea and vomiting (usually mild)

• Drink clear fluids and avoid large meals. Get fresh air and rest.
• Limit spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
• Take anti-nausea drug(s) exactly as directed by your doctor. It is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it.
• Contact your doctor if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting for more than 24 hours.
• Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet.*

Tingling, numb toes or fingers

• May slowly return to normal after treatment ends.
• Contact your doctor or nurse if you have trouble doing up buttons, writing, picking up small objects, have pain, or trouble with movement.
• Less common effects on the nerves in your head/face, leading to weakness or changes in senses such as hearing -- Contact your doctor if these occur.

Lung problems
(sudden increased cough, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing blood)

Rupture in stomach or intestine wall
(Sudden, severe pain in belly or stomach area)

Hearing problems or loss

Allergic reaction (fever, severe rash, itchiness, swollen face, lip or tongue, chest or throat tightness; may occur during or shortly after the drug is given)

Unusual bleeding or bruising

You may have black stools, cough up blood, blood in your urine, purple or red dots on your skin or bleeding that will not stop. 

Fever, chills, infection

You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:

• 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time OR
• 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.

While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:

• Keep a digital thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills).
• Avoid taking medications that treat a fever before you take your temperature (for example, Tylenol®, acetaminophen, Advil® or ibuprofen) as they may hide a fever.
• Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold right before taking your temperature.
• Wash your hands often.
• Check with your doctor before getting any vaccines, surgeries or visiting your dentist.

If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. 
See our Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count) pamphlet for more information.

Pain, burning, redness, or swelling on skin where drug was injected

• Let your healthcare team know right away when this happens, since this drug can harm or irritate tissues if it leaks from the vein during injection.

Low measured salt levels in your blood which may lead to mild confusion or swelling

Rapid killing of cancer cells when you start treatment may lead to build up of cell waste products

• If mild, this may cause gout, with joint pains, but if severe, may cause fevers, kidney failure, confusion and be life-threatening.
• You MUST take the preventive medicines given by your doctor AND
• Drink plenty of fluids (6-8 glasses per day) and void (urinate) frequently.