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• Make sure you wash your hands.
• Information regarding oral medications will be given by your hospital’s Storage of medications
• Keep all medications out of the reach of children.
• A locked cupboard is a good place to store medicines.
• Do not store medicines in the bathroom, on a windowsill or in the car as heat and • If you would like further information please ask your pharmacist for the consumer What to do if you forget to take / give a dose
Contact your treating centre:
The Royal Childrens’ Hospital Children’s Cancer Centre (Oncology Pharmacy)
During business hours contact your Oncology pharmacist on (03) 9345 6290.
After hours ring the ward Associate Unit Manager (AUM) (03) 9345 5645.
This leaflet should be used in conjunction with the complete consumer Monash Children’s Cancer Centre (Paediatric Oncology pharmacist)
medicine information (CMI) which is available from any pharmacy. During business hours (03) 9594 7660 or ring the Monash Children’s switchboard (03) 9594 6666 and page the paediatric oncology pharmacist on pager #4223. Refer also to your Children’s Cancer Centre ‘The Information Book’: After hours call Monash Children’s switchboard (03) 9594 6666 and page the on-call Section 3.14-3.15 on oral medications
• Hints to help your child take medicine and teaching your child to take tablets• Vomiting tablets – what to do Section 4.8-4.17 side effects and what to do
• A more in-depth description of side effects
Coordinated and facilitated by the Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service for the Children’s Cancer Centre at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Monash Children’s – Southern Health and The Peter MacCal um Cancer Centre. Updated April 2011 Version 1. Updated April 2011. PICS 0.002 Chemotherapy Information: All-trans Retinoic Acid Potentially dangerous side effects
(Please seek medical attention immediately if any of the following occur)
Rare
This leaflet contains information about All-Trans Retinoic Acid including details • Sudden, severe and/or persistent headache which may be associated with of known side effects. It does not include every possible side effect.
vomiting and/or visual disturbances.
The type and severity of side effects experienced differs for each child. Some side • Sudden increase in white blood cell count. Symptoms may include low blood effects are minor and easily treated at home. However, others may be more serious pressure, fever and difficulty breathing.
and require prompt medical assessment. Side effects from treatment are routinely monitored with blood tests and clinical examination. If you have any questions • Severe abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea or bleeding from the rectum.
about side effects during treatment, please speak to your doctor. Also, if your child • Allergic reactions which may be life-threatening. Symptoms of a severe experiences any problems or side effects during treatment, please contact your doctor, reaction may include skin rash or hives, swelling or tingling of the lips and clinical nurse coordinator or pharmacy staff for advice.
face, difficulty breathing and low blood pressure which may lead to collapse.
Other names
Other potential side effects
Less common
• High levels of liver enzymes, sugar or fats in the blood Rare
Presentation
Administration
Additional information
Side effects
• If taken during pregnancy, all-trans retinoic acid causes severe birth defects. (The following do usually not require medical attention)
ALL females of child-bearing age must take the oral contraceptive pill during all-trans retinoic acid therapy and for a minimum of one month following Common
• Dry lips, mouth and nose. Vaseline can be used to soften the lips and lining • Eye irritation or soreness. Wearing of contact lenses may cause discomfort. • Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and use a high SPF sunscreen.
Lubricant eye drops can be used to relieve dryness.
• Keep ALL medication out of the reach of children.
• Dryness, itching or peeling of the skin and increased risk of sunburn. Daily use of a moisturising sunscreen is recommended.
Less common
(The following do usually not require medical attention)
• Thinning of the hair
• Fatigue
For further information, or to discuss any concerns you may have about
your child’s medication, please feel free to contact the Children’s Cancer
Centre of your child’s treating hospital: RCH Oncology Pharmacy (03) 9345 6290 or Monash Children’s CCC (03) 9594 7660 Chemotherapy Information: All-Trans Retinoic Acid

Source: http://www.pics.org.au/Assets/265/1/CCC_Chemo_2_AllTransRetinoicAcid_April2011.pdf