How to handle Antineoplastic tablets?!

[Fattoo]

I want to know the appropriate way of handling Antineoplastic tablets?

Is it dangerous to open the tablet bottle to count the tablets?

Is it hazard to touch these tablets?

I am really concern since I dispensed chemotherapy tablets weekly.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Fattoo

I want to know the appropriate way of handling Antineoplastic tablets?

Is it dangerous to open the tablet bottle to count the tablets?

Is it hazard to touch these tablets?

I am really concern since I dispensed chemotherapy tablets weekly.

Antineoplastic drugs are potentially toxic medicines and it is essential that patients and other healthcare workers adequately understand their correct use. Many antineoplastic drugs have been found to be mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic on the basis of cell DNA and chromosomal studies, animal models and, to a lesser degree, experience in treated patients. The risk associated with occupational low-level exposure has not been determined. Therefore, without evidence to the contrary, risk is assumed to be present.

Tablets and capsules of antineoplastic drugs must be handled in a manner which minimises exposure to healthy individuals. This includes avoiding skin contact and liberation of powdered drug into the air. Based on this premise, antineoplastic drugs in tablet form should not be split or crushed, and capsules should not be opened.

Hope this helps!

[johnep]

Methotrexate is the most common in community. Foil packs could be used if available, otherwise thin latex/pvc gloves ideally and a tablet triangle reserved for the purpose.

I shall have to take my own advice.

First contact problems were when dispensing Largactil (Not a neoplastic)
Allergic reactions to the green ink used for FP10s also reported.
johnep

[pharmacopola]

Originally Posted by johnep

Allergic reactions to the green ink used for FP10s also reported.

Would this be a good argument FOR non-medical prescribing?!

[Web Ferret]

Originally Posted by johnep

Allergic reactions to the green ink used for FP10s also reported.
johnep

I have that problem - I can truly say that I am allergic to pharmacy!
They cause my hands to dry out - It goes away when I have been off or when I haven't been counting fist fulls of scripts.

[Pharmanaut]

Originally Posted by Web Ferret

I have that problem - I can truly say that I am allergic to pharmacy!
They cause my hands to dry out - It goes away when I have been off or when I haven't been counting fist fulls of scripts.

Get a claim in then!