Work, Travel and Daily Life — on Gefitinib

For most people, yes — work continues throughout gefitinib treatment. It is a tablet taken at home once a day, so your working week does not need to be reorganised around clinic infusion appointments the way it might with intravenous chemotherapy.

Many people remain in full-time or physically demanding roles throughout treatment. How you feel in the first few weeks as your body adjusts can vary — some people notice fatigue early on, others do not.

The side effects most likely to affect a working day are skin rash and diarrhoea. Both are manageable for most people, and your team can help if either is making your work difficult.

If your job involves significant outdoor sun exposure, let your team know. Skin on gefitinib is more sensitive than usual, and the right protection outdoors will matter more than it did before.

Most people on gefitinib can travel, including on long flights. The preparation matters more than the destination.

Always carry your tablets in hand luggage, never in checked baggage. Bring enough for the full trip plus several extra days in case of delays. Ask your oncologist for a letter in English — and in the local language if possible — explaining your diagnosis, your medication by name, and what to do if you need emergency care at your destination.

If you are travelling to a hot or sunny climate, sun sensitivity becomes more significant. Use high-SPF sunscreen, cover your skin, and avoid direct sun during the hottest part of the day.

Tell your team you are planning to travel before you book. They may want to check recent results and will advise on timing if there is a reason to wait.

Gefitinib does not directly impair your ability to drive. If you feel well and your oncologist has not advised otherwise, you can continue. On days when fatigue is more noticeable, apply the same judgement you would for driving with any illness.

Social life does not need to stop. For most everyday situations — family gatherings, going out, visiting friends — there is no reason to stay home. Gefitinib is not a chemotherapy that heavily suppresses blood counts in the same way, though your team monitors your bloods routinely and will tell you if anything changes.

Skin changes such as rash and dryness are worth raising with your team rather than managing alone. Effective approaches exist, both to reduce the changes and to minimise their appearance.

If someone close to you has active chickenpox or measles, tell your team and keep some distance until it has passed. For ordinary colds and everyday contact, normal social life is fine.