What are the recommendations regarding safe handling of oral chemotherapy agents?
The administration of oral chemotherapy presents unique safety issues. Recommendations for the administration of chemotherapy and biotherapy regardless of administration route can be found in the ONS Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs (Polovich, 2003). Recommendations for safety precautions when administering oral therapies should include the following. • When available, unit dose packaging is preferred for providing oral hazardous drugs. • Gloves should be worn when working with all oral therapies. • Tablets should not be crushed, and capsules should not be opened. A liquid formulation of the medication should be used if administering hazardous drugs via feeding tube or to individuals unable to take capsules or tablets. Liquid formulations should be compounded in a biologic safety cabinet, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). If a biologic safety cabinet is unavailable, wear an approved respirator mask when manipulating the drug. • PPE should be used to prevent potenti
