Medications

Now that your child has received a new liver, he or she will require a variety of essential medications. Each child is unique. Therefore the transplant surgeon and hepatologist (liver specialist) may prescribe different anti-rejection medications based on each special situation. It is important for you to learn correct doses, how to give each medication, possible side effects and special considerations.

The following medication categories include those most commonly used by transplant patients:

• Anti-rejection: Cyclosporine, Neoral, Imuran, Prednisone, Cellcept, Prograf
• Antivirals or anti-fungals: Bactrim, Nystatin, Acyclovir, Ganciclovir
• Antihypertensives: Vasotec, Procardia
• Anticoagulants: Heparin, aspirin
• Biliary/gastrointestinal: Actigall, Zantac

Tips for taking medications

Your nurse will help you prepare a medication schedule for your child and will review each medication and their effects. You will also learn correct doses, how to give each medication, side effects and special considerations about each medicine. The following guidelines apply to all medications that have been prescribed for your child after the transplant:

1. Record all medications on your home medication record.
2. Give medications on a regular schedule every day.
3. Do not give other medications for colds, fever, etc. without checking with the transplant team.
4. Store all medications away from light, heat and children. Do not store in the bathroom because heat and moisture will change the medication's effects. Do not refrigerate medications unless labeled by the pharmacy to do so. Cyclosporine separates and becomes gummy when chilled.
5. Cyclosporine must be mixed with fluids at room temperature.
6. Mix Cyclosporine in a glass container (not plastic or styrofoam) to prevent medicine from sticking to edges of the cup.
7. Bring your child's medication with you every time you visit the hospital.
8. If you miss a dose of Cyclosporine, give it as soon as possible if it has been four hours or less since the dose was due. If it has been longer than four hours, do not give until the next scheduled dose. For all other medications, if you miss a dose, give it as soon as possible.
9. Never stop giving your child medication and notify your physician if a dose was skipped.
10. Do not check your child's medications with your baggage when traveling.

If you have any questions about your child's medications, please do not hesitate to call the transplant team. During weekdays (8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.), the liver transplant nurses should be contacted at 773.975.8818 (Joan Lokar) or 773.975.8817 (Ilana Cymerman). During the night and on weekends, parents should call 773.880.4000 and ask for the attending gastroenterologist on call.

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