Chemotherapy: FOLFIRI

Common side effects of FOLFIRI include the following. As you read the list, keep in mind that there is no way to predict what side effects will show up for any individual, and with what severity. For suggestions for dealing with one of these side effects if they appear, click on the side effect.

The most common side effects (from the Camtosar) are hair loss and diarrhea. 

• Hair loss: For information about preparing before hair falls out, and tips for coping during hair loss, click here. 
• Diarrhea: There are two types of diarrhea that can be experienced while taking FOLFIRI treatment.
  • Early onset diarrhea can literally happen while the medication is being infused. This type of diarrhea is generally controllable, giving plenty of time to get to the bathroom from the time a person starts to feel it coming on. Do not expect to soil yourself due to this type of diarrhea. There is no reason to try to control this type of diarrhea.
  • Late onset diarrhea generally starts somewhere between day 1 and 4 after the infusion. This type of diarrhea should be treated with both medication and diet. Untreated diarrhea can lead to dehydration which not only makes you feel lousy, but can lead to complications such as kidney failure. To learn more about diarrhea, including how to control it, click here. (If diarrhea is watery, particularly notice the section about medications used to control diarrhea).
• Appetite loss
• Hand/foot syndrome (swelling or redness, tingling or dry, cracked skin in the hands or feet)
• Mouth sores
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Neuropathy in the hands or feet
• Risk of infection

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