Staying on Track With Daily Cancer Medicines

Staying on Track With Daily Cancer Medicines

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Many cancer treatments are now taken by mouth at home. Tamoxifen, letrozole and anastrozole are often taken for five years or more after breast cancer, and generic imatinib is taken every day for chronic myeloid leukaemia. That makes routine and supply just as important as the medicine itself.

Small habits help: take your tablet at the same time each day, keep a pill organiser, and set a phone reminder. If you miss a dose, check the patient leaflet and never take two at once. Weekly methotrexate is the exception: for arthritis and psoriasis it is taken once a week, not daily.

If you want a fuller guide, this practical guide covers routines, side effects and questions for your oncologist.

Side effects to watch: hot flushes, joint stiffness and tiredness are common with hormone tablets. anastrozole vs letrozole Aromatase inhibitors can reduce bone density, so many people have bone scans and advice on calcium and vitamin D. Tell your care team about chest pain, sudden breathlessness, leg swelling or unusual bleeding promptly.

Plan your supply. Reorder when you still have two or three weeks of tablets left, so a delay never interrupts treatment. Generic tablets contain the same active ingredient as the brands and usually cost far less. A valid prescription is required for every order of a prescription medicine.

There is more information on this page.

This is general information, not medical advice. Always check with your oncology team before making any change.

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