Coping With Chemo Side Effects: Medications That Can Help
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Chemotherapy can be lifesaving.
Often, it is.
But two things can be true: Chemotherapy also takes quite a toll on patients even as it helps them through their cancer journey.
While these powerful drugs work to destroy fast-growing cancer cells, they don’t always distinguish between healthy and unhealthy ones. That’s why many people experience chemo side effects.
These are not side effects to ignore. Some are mild.
Some are wildly difficult to manage.
If you or a loved one is preparing for chemotherapy, understanding what to expect (and how to manage it) can make an enormous difference.
The good news is that doctors today have many tools, including supportive medications, that can reduce discomfort, prevent complications, and help you stay on course with your treatment plan.
This guide explains the most common side effects of chemo, how long they tend to last, and which medications doctors often recommend to help patients feel better and recover faster.
Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy (and Why They Happen)
Chemotherapy works by attacking cells that divide rapidly.
And that works, because cancer cells multiply fast.
But they aren’t alone. Other parts of your body also rely on fast-growing cells, like your hair follicles, mouth lining, digestive tract, and bone marrow.
That’s why you might notice side effects like hair loss, nausea, or fatigue as treatment progresses.
That said, each person’s response to chemo is unique.
Some experience only mild fatigue or appetite changes, while others face more intense symptoms that evolve over time.
Side effects can also vary depending on the type of chemotherapy, the dose, and whether you’re receiving combination treatments like radiation or immunotherapy.
Possible Early Chemo Side Effects To Look For
After you (or a loved one) has started undergoing chemo, these side effects may appear within a few days of that initial treatment.
They should lessen as your body adapts to your treatment regimen.
These effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting, which are among the most common side effects of chemo, especially in the first week of treatment.
- Fatigue, or any feeling of being physically or mentally exhausted, even after rest.
- Digestive changes, including diarrhea or constipation, which is caused by irritation of the GI tract or reduced activity levels.
- Mouth sores, which can result from the destruction of cells that line the mouth and throat.
- Skin sensitivity, which could look like redness, dryness, or peeling, especially on hands and feet.
If you realize that you’re experiencing these side effects, you do have options for mitigating them (as long as your doctor approves).
Anti-nausea drugs (more on those shortly!) along with hydration, rest, and small, nutrient-rich meals can go a long way toward relief.
Later or Long-Term Side Effects To Be Aware Of
After you’ve gone through a few chemotherapy cycles, you might notice some longer lasting or delayed symptoms. (Some of these can even apply after treatment ends.)
Watch out for:
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain), or tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands or feet
- “Chemo brain,” or trouble focusing or remembering things
- Fertility changes if applicable, which could look like irregular cycles or temporary infertility
- Immune suppression, including an increased risk of infections due to low white blood cell counts
These can sound intimidating – and, we want to validate that. They are!
However, we also have good news to share. There are safe, effective medications and coping strategies that can make them manageable.
Medications That Can Help Manage Chemo Side Effects
Modern oncology care doesn’t stop at chemotherapy.
Since chemo itself causes a slew of strong side effects, good oncology care includes a wide range of supportive medications designed to make treatment more tolerable.
This isn’t only a nice, helpful thing to do – when treatment is more tolerable, patients stay more consistent with treatment schedules…which in turn tends to lead to better outcomes.
If you or your loved one going through chemo is looking for supportive medicines, you’re in the right place.
These drugs address the most common chemo side effects, from nausea and diarrhea to nerve pain and allergic reactions.
Nausea and Vomiting Relief
Nausea is one of the most feared side effects of chemo.
It’s also one of the best controlled.
Doctors often prescribe anti-nausea drugs (called antiemetics) before and after each treatment cycle. These antiemetics may include:
Serotonin (5-HT3) antagonists, like ondansetron (or brand Zofran), granisetron (or brand Kytril), and palonosetron (or brand Aloxi.) These medications help reduce nausea by blocking the brain’s nausea-triggering signals.
NK1 antagonists, like aprepitant (brand Emend), which can be added for stronger protection when nausea is severe or long-lasting.
Steroids and other options, like dexamethasone (or brand Decadron), which can enhance the effect of other antiemetics and reduce inflammation, or olanzapine (brand Zyprexa), an antipsychotic used in small doses, which can help control difficult or delayed nausea.
Doctors may decide to prescribe these drugs for a short period of time before chemo, with the treatment extending for a few days after the chemo is completed or as needed.
These medications can be used by themselves or in combination (e.g., a serotonin agonist and a steroid) for more comprehensive benefit, as long as a doctor approves that for you.
Managing Digestive Side Effects
Your digestive tract is particularly sensitive to chemo.
In addition to nausea, which we covered above, you might also experience diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both.
Your doctor can help you determine if supportive medications would be helpful to make your life easier during chemo. The meds you need will depend on the specific symptoms you exhibit.
For diarrhea, your doctor might recommend loperamide (or Imodium), an over-the-counter medication that can slow bowel movement frequency and prevent dehydration.
Persistent or stubborn diarrhea may call for stronger agents, IV fluids, or antibiotics if infection is suspected.
For constipation, your doctor might recommend something like senna or Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) to stimulate the bowel muscles and restore regularity. Medications like polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX/RestoraLAX) can also work by drawing water into the colon to soften stools.
Reducing Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Pain
Some chemotherapy drugs, especially platinum-based agents or specific drugs called “taxanes,” can irritate or damage your nerves. This causes something called “peripheral neuropathy,” or a burning, tingling, or numb feeling.
There are some medications that can help reduce that feeling.
They include:
Duloxetine (brand Cymbalta), which is the most widely studied medication for chemo-related nerve pain.
In some cases, it can also improve mood, if a patient is also experiencing mood-related chemo side effects.
Amitriptyline (Elavil), a tricyclic antidepressant, may be an option to provide some help when other drugs aren’t working.
If you’re feeling that tingling or numbing sensation, don’t ignore it or downplay it.
Early symptom reporting matters. Neuropathy can worsen over time if untreated.
Talk to your doctor about your options. You may be able to find relief.
And, at the same time, your care team may adjust chemo doses or add these medications preventively to limit long-term damage.
Managing Allergic and Infusion Reactions
Some chemotherapy drugs can, unfortunately, trigger allergic-type reactions during or shortly after infusion.
These reactions may include skin rashes, itching, chills, shortness of breath, or facial flushing.
If your medical team feels like any of the following are safe for you, you may be able to use these preventative medications to manage these reactions so you can feel more comfortable during treatment:
- Diphenhydramine, (or brand Benadryl), is an antihistamine often given before infusions to reduce itching or mild allergic responses.
- Methylprednisolone (brand Medrol), a corticosteroid, can help control inflammation and reduce the risk of severe infusion reactions.
- Famotidine (brand Pepcid) can be added to block histamine pathways and further calm reactions.
And, of course, in the rare event of a serious allergic reaction, patients can use epinephrine (or an EpiPen) to restore normal breathing and blood pressure. If serious allergic reactions are a problem for you, it may be worth talking to your doctor to see if keeping an EpiPen on you at all times is a good idea.
Preventing Infections and Managing Your Immune Suppression
Chemotherapy has an unfortunate side effect, sometimes, of suppressing your body’s bone marrow production, which in turn reduces your body’s production of white blood cells.
Since your white blood cells are your body’s infection-fighting soldiers, this can present a bit of a problem.
This suppressed-bone-marrow condition is called “neutropenia,” and it does increase a person’s vulnerability to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
When a patient has neutropenia, their doctors may prescribe supportive medications…especially if the patient’s white blood cell counts drop significantly.
These may include:
- Antivirals like acyclovir (or brand Zovirax), which can help prevent outbreaks of herpes or shingles in immunocompromised patients.
- Antifungals such as fluconazole (or brand Diflucan), which may be recommended for those at high risk of fungal infections, especially after stem cell transplants.
Are There Chemo Coping Strategies Beyond Medication?
Yes, there are!
Medication can be a huge help in easing the physical side effects of chemo, but the mental impact of chemo needs to be managed, too.
To help with that, there are many emotional and lifestyle strategies you can consider weaving into your day-to-day care regimen.
For example, tracking your symptoms (e.g., when they happen, how severe they are, and what triggers or helps) can give both you and your care team valuable data that can help improve your treatment plan.
This doesn’t need to be complicated…just, ideally, consistent. Try using a simple notebook or app to log:
- Fatigue levels throughout the day
- Appetite and digestion
- Emotional wellbeing
- Any new or unusual sensations (tingling, pain, dizziness, etc.)
Emotional Health and the Hidden Side of Chemo Recovery
Chemotherapy is, to wildly understate things, an emotional roller coaster ride.
Many patients describe waves of anxiety, irritability, or sadness during treatment.
These feelings are common and not a sign of weakness.
They are a logical response to stress, uncertainty, and physical strain.
That’s not to say that you need to soldier through them or accept reduced emotional health for the duration of your treatment.
There are emotional care options you may be able to consider, including:
- Counseling or therapy. Oncology social workers and psychologists can teach coping techniques and help you process what you’re going through.
- Support groups. Many hospitals and cancer centers offer group sessions, both in-person and online, where you can share experiences and encouragement.
- Relaxation methods. Deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, and gentle exercise like yoga can reduce tension and improve sleep.
- Medication. For particularly severe anxiety or depression, your oncologist can recommend antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications that don’t interfere with chemo.
Taking care of your mental health supports your physical recovery too. Your stress hormones can affect your energy, appetite, and immune response…which supports everything else!
Don’t downplay this part of recovery if it doesn’t feel as severe or “important” as your chemo. It very, very much is.
Partnering With Your Oncology Team to Cope With Chemo Side Effects
Managing your chemo side effects will require an ongoing, transparent, and proactive partnership between you, your doctor, and your pharmacist.
Don’t hesitate to bring up anything that feels “off,” even if it seems minor. Your care team can adjust doses, prescribe new medications, or refer you to specialists.
Depending on your unique circumstances and health goals, you might also discuss:
- Whether your anti-nausea medication needs updating
- If nerve pain could improve with a dose change
- How to safely use over-the-counter remedies
- When to take “chemo breaks” to help your body recover!
If you find that figuring out access or mitigating extremely high costs associated with your chosen supportive medications is causing you stress, know that Canadian drugs and international medications websites like CIPA-approved NorthWestPharmacy.com can help you easily find reliably low costs on both prescription and OTC medications from the comfort of your living room couch.
Have any questions or concerns about your medications? Our pharmacists are happy to take your questions at any time.
Just know this: You don’t have to face chemo alone or “tough it out.” With the right plan and support, recovery can be about healing, not just surviving.
The team here at NorthWestPharmacy.com looks forward to supporting you and your healthcare journey.
