Knowing your child's medicine during cancer treatment (1660)
Key points below
Why is my child taking these medicines?
Most medicine that your child takes will:
- Treat the cancer. These are the most important medicines your child needs to take. They will cure or stop the cancer from spreading. If you forget a dose or miss a dose, you may need to give it on a different schedule. If that happens, call your provider.
- Prevent infection during cancer treatment. This medicine is very important to keep your child healthy. It will be prescribed during different chemotherapy cycles. Your provider will tell you when to start or stop using them.
- Prevent nausea and throwing up. This will help your child feel better. It may be given during and right after a cancer treatment cycle. It may also be given as needed to treat nausea and vomiting. You can give these medicines 30 to 60 minutes before any other medicine that makes your child to feel like throwing up.
- Prevent or decrease problems caused by cancer or cancer treatment. These medicines may be given as needed or on a schedule. It will depend on the symptoms. These medicines are used to prevent:
- Constipation.
- Other complications of the treatment.
- Pain.
If scheduled pain medicine has been given for more than 5 days, don’t stop it on your own. Ask your provider how to wean the pain medicine. If pain continues contact your provider.
If you do not know what your medicine is used for contact your provider.
What do I need to know about medicines for constipation?
- Constipation means smaller size stools or going less often. It is a common problem for patients with cancer.
- You may want to give this medicine on a regular schedule. You can also give it as needed to get a normal bowel movement schedule.
- Give the medicine when your child hasn’t followed their normal bowel habits. For instance, if they have a stool daily and miss a day.
- This will help to prevent severe constipation.
- Track the timing and the amount of stool by using a space on your medicine calendar.
- If it has been more than 72 hours since your child had a stool, call your provider.
What should my child not take during cancer treatment without the oncology provider knowing?
Some medicines may change how well your cancer medicines work. Talk to your oncology provider or pharmacist before your child starts a new medicine. Ask if it is safe to take with other medicines. This includes vitamins, herbal products and over-the-counter medicines, sometimes called OTC.
- Do not give any acetaminophen or ibuprofen or other over the counter medicine during cancer treatment unless your oncology provider tells you that you may.
- If you have any questions, or something does not seem right, call the oncology provider or pharmacy.
How do I keep track of my child’s medicines?
- A medicine calendar is highly recommended. You can use:
- A paper calendar,
- an electronic calendar,
- a medicine calendar app for your phone.
- The medicine calendar will help to remind you the name of the medicine and how often to give it.
- You can mark the time medicines are given on the calendar.
- Keep track of how many refills are left. Talk with your child’s doctor if more refills are needed. Call the pharmacy at least 5 days before a refill is needed.
- Always bring a list and all of your child’s current medicine to appointments.