To see all protocols that comply with the WHO Essential Medicine List 

This resource provides guidance on how to safely undertake the procedure. Institutional practice may vary in accordance with local policy.

Only health care professionals who have attained competency (as per institutional guidelines) should perform this procedure.

 Related eLearning:
- Anti-cancer Drug Administration Course (ADAC)
- Cancer Medicines - oral anti-cancer medicines in community pharmacy
Administration of anti-cancer drugs - Oral (video)

Clinical safety note
Anti-cancer oral tablets and or capsules should not be broken or crushed. Crushing tablets carries exposure risks and can alter the bioavailability of the drug.
If a patient is unable to swallow tablets or medication is being administered via a PEG tube or a nasogastric tube, then the pharmacist must be contacted for advice on alternative dose formulations.
If a patient vomits within a few hours of taking the drug, do not repeat the dose. Inform the medical officer for further guidance.

This document provides information on the safe administration of oral anti-cancer drugs. Only healthcare professionals who have attained competency in the safe administration, handling and waste management of hazardous drugs (as per institutional guidelines) should perform this procedure.

This procedure should be read in conjunction with the Safe handling of hazardous drugs document and the Safe administration of anti-cancer drugs document.

This document reflects what is currently regarded as safe practice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content at the time of publication, the Cancer Institute NSW does not accept any liability, with respect to loss, damage, injury or expense arising from any such errors or omission in the contents of this work. Any reference throughout the document to specific pharmaceuticals and/or medical products as examples does not imply endorsement of any of these products. While eviQ endeavours to link to reliable sources that provide accurate information, eviQ and the Cancer Institute NSW do not endorse or accept responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability or correctness of the content of linked external information source. Use is subject to eviQ’s disclaimer available at www.eviQ.org.au

Send feedback for this page


First approved:
Last reviewed:
Review due:

The currency of this information is guaranteed only up until the date of printing, for any updates please check:

https://www.eviq.org.au/p/450

29 Mar 2024