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.

Nausea and vomiting

• May occur in hours to days after the dose is given/ after treatment starts.
• 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 1 day or if any vomiting occurs.
• Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet.*

Proteins in Urine; Kidney problems
(lower back pain, body swelling- may be severe and life-threatening)

• Also look for passing little or no urine, darkening or blood in urine, or recent unusual weight gain 
• Your doctor may monitor for proteins in the urine regularly.

Liver problems
(yellow skin or eyes, dark urine)

Salt imbalances
(muscle twitching, weakness or cramping, confusion, irregular heartbeat), may be severe (general body swelling with confusion)

Poor Appetite; don't feel like eating; weight loss

• Eat foods that you like and try to eat regular small meals.
• Use meal supplements if possible.  See a dietitian.

Diarrhea

• May occur days to weeks after the drug is given / after treatment starts
• Drink plenty of clear fluids. Limit hot, spicy, fried foods, foods/drinks with caffeine, orange or prune juice. 
• Try a low-fiber BRAT diet (Bananas, white Rice, Apple sauce, Toast made with white bread).
• Take anti-diarrhea drug(s) if given to you by your doctor.
• Also see Diarrhea pamphlet.*

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.