Safe Handling of Chemotherapy

The guidelines below are for the safety of those living with a person getting chemotherapy:

  • Keep chemotherapy, items in direct contact with it, and bodily fluids from a person getting it out of reach of children and pets.
  • Wear gloves when handling chemotherapy, whether it is through the IV, as a shot, or in pill form.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after your take your gloves off.
  • Return all unused chemotherapy to the clinic or pharmacy you got it from. Do not throw it in the trash or into a water supply.

If You Are a Pregnant Woman, Do Not:

  • Handle chemotherapy
  • Have direct contact with bodily fluids from a person getting chemotherapy

Bodily Fluids Should Be Handled with Special Care for 48 Hours After a Dose of Chemotherapy is Given:

  • Do not eat or drink with the same utensils or cup as the person getting chemotherapy.
  • Wear gloves when handling bodily fluids, diapers, urinals, vomit basins, or dirty linens.
  • Carry dirty linens away from your body. Wash them right in hot water separately from other laundry.
  • Other items that have come in contact with chemotherapy should be washed well with soap and water.
  • Wash your skin with soap and water if you come in contact with chemotherapy.