Immediate (onset hours to days)
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Allergic reaction
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- Allergic reactions are uncommon but can be life threatening.
- If you feel unwell during the infusion or shortly after it, or:
- get a fever, shivers or shakes
- feel dizzy, faint, confused or anxious
- start wheezing or have difficulty breathing
- have a rash, itch or redness of the face
While you are in hospital: Tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
After you leave: Contact your doctor or nurse immediately, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
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Headache
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- You can take paracetamol if you have a headache.
- Tell your doctor or nurse immediately, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department if you get a very bad headache that is not helped by pain medication.
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Nausea and vomiting
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- You may feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomit).
- Take your anti-sickness medication as directed even if you don’t feel sick.
- Drink plenty of fluids (unless you are fluid restricted).
- Eat small meals more frequently.
- Try food that does not require much preparation.
- Try bland foods like dry biscuits or toast.
- Gentle exercise may help with nausea.
- Ask your doctor or nurse for eviQ patient information - Nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment.
- Tell your doctor or nurse immediately, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department if you have uncontrolled vomiting or feel dizzy or light-headed.
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Taste and smell changes
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- You may find that food loses its taste or tastes different.
- These changes are likely to go away with time.
- Do your mouth care regularly.
- Chew on sugar-free gum or eat sugar-free mints.
- Add flavour to your food with sauces and herbs.
- Ask your doctor or nurse for eviQ patient information - Taste and smell changes during cancer treatment.
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Pain or swelling at injection site (extravasation)
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- This treatment can cause serious injury if it leaks from the area where it is going into the vein.
- This can cause pain, stinging, swelling or redness at or near the site where the drug enters the vein.
- If not treated correctly, you may get blistering and ulceration.
- Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you get any of the symptoms listed above during or after treatment.
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Urine turning orange or red
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- Your urine will turn an orange or red colour.
- This is not harmful and should only last for up to 48 hours after treatment.
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Bone pain after G-CSF injection
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- You may have discomfort or a dull ache in your pelvis, back, arms or legs.
- To reduce the pain, take paracetamol before each injection.
- Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if your pain is not controlled.
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Brain swelling (encephalopathy)
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- You may feel:
- dizzy
- sleepy
- confused or agitated.
- You may also get:
- headaches
- loss of balance
- hallucinations
- seizure (fits).
- These symptoms are caused by the drug ifosfamide.
- If you are being treated as an outpatient, try to have someone stay at home with you during the days that you are having this medicine.
- Tell your doctor or nurse immediately, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department if you get any of the symptoms listed above.
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Bladder irritation (haemorrhagic cystitis)
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- You may get:
- blood in your urine, sometimes with blood clots
- pain or burning when you urinate
- the urge to urinate more than normal
- stomach or pelvic pain or discomfort.
- When you go home, make sure you drink plenty of fluids (unless you are fluid restricted).
- Empty your bladder often.
- Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you notice any blood in your urine.
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Redness and itching along vein
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- You may get redness and itching along the vein where your chemotherapy is being infused.
- This will usually go away within 30 minutes of stopping the injection.
- Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you get any of the symptoms listed above. Your nurse will check to make sure the drug has not leaked out of the vein.
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