Oral chemotherapy medicines are taken by mouth in the form of capsules, tablets or liquid. While this allows you to cut down on trips to the hospital and take this treatment at home, it can also be challenging to manage medication schedules.
A drug diary can help patients to record daily medication use, keep track of special instructions and document side effects. Below are links to three drug diaries that may be helpful to you.
How to Use the Drug Diary
Select the drug diary that matches your oral chemotherapy schedule. Print it out and keep it in a place where you'll remember to write in it, such as next to your bed, near your kitchen table, in the bathroom, or on the refrigerator.
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any questions about how to use the drug diary.
- Single oral chemotherapy, once a day
- Single oral chemotherapy, twice a day
- Multiple oral chemotherapies
Before starting oral chemotherapy and using one of the drug diaries, you'll need to know the following information:
- Name of the drug
- Strength and dose (e.g. 10 mg tablets, take two)
- Directions for taking the drug: how much, how often, when, etc.
- If you have trouble swallowing the tablets, can they be opened, broken or crushed?
- Is it safe to take with other drugs, food, drinks, etc.?
- What should you do if you miss a dose?
- Where should you store the drugs?
- What are the likely side effects?
- What are the contact numbers of your doctor and nurse?