Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is Lonsurf. It contains two medicines in each tablet. Lonsurf helps to treat certain types of colorectal and stomach cancer.

It is often taken two times each day on days 1 through 5 and again on days 8 through 12. This is called one cycle of treatment. Each cycle lasts 28 days. You should take it exactly as your doctor tells you to. You should take each dose with food. Be sure to swallow the tablet whole. Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands before and after handling this medicine. For more information regarding how to take this medicine and what to do if you miss a dose, read the "Patient Information Sheet".

Most people tolerate this medicine well. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. You could have a fever, feel tired or weak, have a decrease in appetite. You should wait until you know how this medicine affects you before you do activities that require you to be alert, like driving. It is important to tell your doctor if you have these or ANY other side effects, so he or she can help you manage them. If these become reasons you want to stop taking the medicine, please talk to your healthcare team. 

As with any medicine, rare but serious side effects could occur. With Lonsurf, this includes changes to your blood counts. You should read the patient information sheet to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report changes. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely and may order blood tests.

Lonsurf can interact with other medicines. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, or vitamins. 

Lonsurf can harm unborn babies. Women and men must talk to their doctors about which birth control methods to use and for how long. Women should not breastfeed while taking this medicine and ask their doctors when it's safe to nurse again.

For best results, work closely with your doctor to manage side effects. Also, store it in the original bottle with the lid tightly sealed.