FOLFIRINOX

Infection

FOLFIRINOX can increase your risk of getting an infection. An infection is an emergency if you are having chemotherapy, and needs treating straight away. Signs of an infection include:

• a high temperature – your chemotherapy team will tell you what a high temperature is
• feeling shivery and cold
• headaches
• sore muscles
• a cough or sore throat
• having pain or burning when you pee
• feeling generally unwell or tired.

Call the 24 hour emergency number your chemotherapy team will have given you if you have signs of an infection. You should phone if you have any of these symptoms or feel suddenly unwell, even if your temperature is normal or low.

Read more about infections and how they are treated.

Runny poo (diarrhoea)

If you have diarrhoea, try to drink as much water as you can. If you are finding it hard to drink enough fluids, contact your chemotherapy team. If you have diarrhoea more than four times a day, tell your chemotherapy team. They can give you medicines to control it. Your chemotherapy may be delayed until the diarrhoea is better, or the dose of your chemotherapy drugs may be lowered.

Read more about diarrhoea and how it is treated.

Constipation

Constipation is when you find it harder to poo. Drink as much water as you can manage and try to eat high fibre foods, such as fruit and vegetables. Gentle exercise such as walking can also help. Speak to your doctor about medicines that can help.

Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

Fatigue is a common side effect of FOLFIRINOX. It is not the same as feeling tired. Fatigue can make you feel weak and have problems concentrating. Some people find that the fatigue starts a few hours to a few days after having chemotherapy and starts to get better after a few days. There are things that you can do to help with fatigue. Read our tips on coping with fatigue.

Oxaliplatin may also cause dizziness. Feeling tired and dizzy can affect your ability to drive. You might want to get someone else to drive you until you know if you are affected.

Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)

This is a common side effect of FOLFIRINOXbut you can take medicines to stop you feeling or being sick. You will normally be given anti-sickness medicines to manage sickness. If these medicines don’t help, speak to your chemotherapy team about changing to a different medicine.

Read more about feeling and being sick, and some tips for coping with it.

Tingling and numbness in your fingertips and toes

FOLFIRINOX can affect the nerves in your hands and feet, which can cause tingling and numbness. This is called peripheral neuropathy. It normally gets better after your treatment finishes, but for some people it may never go away. This can be worse in the cold, so wrap up well if you are going outside.

Talk to your chemotherapy team if you have any tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes. Read more about peripheral neuropathy and how it is managed.

Problems swallowing and breathing (laryngeal spasm)

Oxaliplatin can affect your throat, which can make it hard to swallow or breathe. If this happens when you are being given oxaliplatin, tell your nurse straight away. They may stop the infusion of oxaliplatin while they give you medicine to help with this.

You may also get this side effect in the first few hours after having oxaliplatin, but this is normally only if you are out in the cold or having a cold drink. It should stop a few days after your treatment finishes. Try to avoid cold drinks and wrap up warmly if you go out in the cold.

Anaemia (feeling tired or dizzy)

FOLFIRINOX can lower the number of red blood cells in your blood. This is called anaemia, and can make you feel tired, dizzy or short of breath. If any of these symptoms happen suddenly, call the emergency number. If your red blood cell level is very low, you may need to be given blood through a drip. This is called a blood transfusion. Read more about anaemia.

Bruising and bleeding

FOLFIRINOX can lower the number of platelets in your blood. This is called thrombocytopenia. You may bruise more easily than normal, and you may be more likely to have nosebleeds or bleeding gums. If you have a nosebleed that does not stop after five minutes, call the emergency number.

Hair loss

FOLFIRINOX may cause your hair to thin, or you may lose some hair – but it should grow back once your treatment stops. Read more about chemotherapy and hair loss.

Taste changes

FOLFIRINOX may cause a funny taste in your mouth. Some people say this tastes like metal or cardboard. You may find that food loses its flavour, or you stop enjoying some foods or drinks. This normally gets better once you finish your chemotherapy. You might find our tips for coping with taste changes helpful.

Loss of appetite

During your treatment you may not feel like eating, and you may start to lose weight. Try eating small meals often. If your appetite doesn’t get better after a few days, tell your doctor or dietitian. We have tips on dealing with a loss of appetite.

Sore mouth and mouth ulcers

FOLFIRINOX can make your mouth sore, or cause mouth ulcers which can be painful. Tell your chemotherapy team about any problems you have with your mouth. They can make sure you don’t have a mouth infection and give you a mouthwash which should help. You should also tell them if you have white spots in your mouth. This is a sign of oral thrush, which is normally easy to treat.

Sore hands and feet

FOLFIRINOX can make the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet red and sore. The skin may also start to peel. Your doctor or nurse may give you a vitamin or creams to help with this. If you have badly peeling skin, it is very painful, or you have broken skin that looks infected, call the emergency number. The soreness normally gets better when your chemotherapy finishes.

Joint and bone pain

Oxaliplatin can cause problems with your joints, such as swelling or pain. Let your doctor or nurse know if you have this side effect. They can give you painkillers to help. Make sure that you check your temperature before taking any paracetamol or ibuprofen. If you have a high temperature, call the emergency number straight away.

Skin changes

FOLFIRINOX can make your skin darken or become more sensitive to the sun. Use a high factor sun cream if you are going outside. Tell your chemotherapy team about any skin changes. These changes normally get better when your treatment finishes.

Eye problems

FOLFIRINOX can cause sore, itchy or watery eyes. Tell your doctor or nurse if this happens, as they may need to give you some eye drops. Some people get blurred vision when having FOLFIRINOX, but this is less common.

Heart problems

Fluorouracil can cause chest pain. It can also make you feel short of breath, dizzy, or cause an irregular heartbeat. It is important to tell your chemotherapy team straight away if you have any of these symptoms. If you have chest pain, go straight to A&E and tell them you are having chemotherapy.

Risk of a blood clot in a vein

Chemotherapy can increase the risk of a blood clot in a vein. If you have any pain or swelling in one of your arms or legs, or you feel short of breath, call the emergency number straight away. Or phone an ambulance and tell them you are having chemotherapy. A blood clot is serious if it’s not treated.