Administration of oral cytotoxic agents

[cmab]

I'm interested in finding out what chemo precautions are implement when oral cytoxic agents are given. Are 48 hour precautions implemented? Our Heme/Onc areas are comfortable with our current practice but we have been asked to make a recommendation regarding precautions to our Medical units who at times administer oral agents (ie. methotrexate, cytoxan) for non-malignant conditions. Can anyone tell me your institutions approach these 2 situations the same or differently? Thanks.

[evelyneb]

Hi there. I am a certified oncology nurse, AS WELL AS a patient who is presently taking injectable methotrexate and have taken it orally in the past. I, as a patient was given no precautionary instructions. I do the handwashing bit, but that's about it. As far as the injection itself, it has to be given under precaution at the hospital by a nurse.

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Angela