Hair thinning or loss 

• Use a gentle soft brush and avoid hair sprays, bleaches, dyes and perms.
• In most cases, your hair will grow back after treatment, but the texture or colour may change. 
• In very rare cases, hair loss may be permanent

Tingling, numb fingers and toes (may be severe)

• May slowly get better after your treatment ends.
• Contact your health care team if you have trouble doing up buttons, writing, picking up small objects, have pain or trouble moving.

Mild joint, muscle pain or cramps (may be severe)

• Take your pain medication as prescribed by your doctor.
• You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets as needed for mild aches and pains. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dose for you.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first before taking ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin. These medication may increase bleeding risk.
• Rest often and try light exercise as it may help.

Nausea and vomiting

May occur in hours to days after your treatment. It is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it if it happens. 

To help prevent nausea:

• Take anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed to you by your doctor.
• Drink clear liquids and have small meals. Get fresh air and rest.
• Do not eat spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
• Limit caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea) and alcohol.

If you have nausea or vomiting:

• Take anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed to you by your doctor. 
• Contact your health care team if the prescribed anti-nausea medications are not helping to control your nausea and vomiting.

 Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information.

Allergic reaction (may be severe)

• The most common symptoms include fever, itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, chest and throat tightness. 
• It may occur during or shortly after the medication is given to you. Let your health care team know right away if this happens to you.

Unusual bleeding or bruising (may be severe)

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 (or 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, medical procedures 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.

Diarrhea (may be severe)

May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment.

If you have diarrhea :

• Take anti-diarrhea medication if your health care team prescribed it.
• Avoid foods or drinks with artificial sweetener (e.g. chewing gum, “diet” drinks), coffee and alcohol, until your diarrhea has stopped.
• Eat many small meals and snacks instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
• Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day. Talk to your health care team if you can’t drink 6-8 cups of liquids each day when you have diarrhea. You may need special liquids with salt and sugar, called Oral Rehydration Therapy.

​See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.