Medicines, Supplements and Vitamins
The main source of vitamins for children will come through the foods in their usual diet. Do not start giving your child any new medicines, including supplements, vitamins, non-prescription drugs, herbs and essential oil, without talking with your doctor first. Some medicines:
- Change the way chemotherapy works
- Can cause your child to bleed more or longer than normal (avoid products containing aspirin, ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, Advil®, Aleve®, naproxen or ASA content)
It is important to keep track of all prescribed and over-the-counter medications your child takes. Read medication labels carefully.
Pneumocystis Prevention
Pneumocystis carinii is an organism which can cause an unusual form of pneumonia in people whose immune systems are altered by disease or drugs. It is possible to prevent this pneumonia by giving a drug called Bactrim. It is given twice a day, usually on weekends. It will be continued throughout the entire course of chemotherapy and for a few months after finishing chemotherapy. If your child’s allergic to Bactrim or counts remain suppressed, a medication called pentamadine will be given via IV or inhaled routes monthly.