HOME FIRST-AID KIT for patients, who get oncology treatment

A person, undergoing cancer treatment, can have side-effects of the therapy. Also acute diseases (respiratory infection, intestinal infection, allergy etc.) can happen.

That's why these patients have to have a Home first-aid kit  for a case of urgent situation  when they can not come to a hospital as soon as possible.

You have to contact with your Medical oncologist / Oncology nurse / Emergency department  of your hospital when you have an urgent problem to have an advice - can you get treatment at home or you have to arrive at hospital as soon as possible .

Kindly find the list of medicines for HOME FIRST-AID KIT below:

• Anti-vomiting medications (antiemetics). Unfortunately, vomiting is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. Recommendations regarding a specific medicine are issued by your attending physician. In Cambodia you can ask you doctor to prescribe Tab. Metoclopramide (Primperan) 10 mg and (if indicated!) Tab. Ondansetron 8 mg to have them on hands.

• Medications against diarrhea. Chemotherapy affects both tumor cells and all rapidly dividing cells. Accordingly, the gastrointestinal tract suffers to a certain extent. It is better to have at home Smecta (few sachets) for a case of diarrhea. For other medicines you have to get advises of your attending physician.

• Medications against dehydration. Dehydration can be caused by vomiting and diarrhea. The fluid, that the body has lost, must be restored in a timely manner. Rehydration medicines / solutions contain glucose and electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, potassium), which replenish the body's water balance. Have at home few sachets of ORS (Oralit). 1 bag of ORS need to dilute in 1 L of drinking water and drink slowly. Kindly discuss with your doctor how many sachet / volume of solution do you need per day (it depends of your condition and your body weight).

• Laxatives for prevention / treatment of constipation. You can have at home few sachet Duphalac. For other medicines need to have prescription from your doctor.

• Painkillers (non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines). They relieve pain, relieve inflammation and lower body temperature. Tab. Paracetamol (Doliprane, Tailenol) is more safe than others ( if you do not have allergy). Kindly ask your doctor about possibility to use it in the case of pain or fever and about optimal dose.

• Antibiotics. Kindly ask your Medical oncologist to give you an advise which one it is better to have on hands for a case of acute bacterial infection and prescribe it.

• Antihistamine medications. They eliminate allergic reactions, including allergic reactions after systemic cancer treatment. You can have at home tab. Cetirizine 10 mg.

• Sometimes antihistamine medications included in a treatment program, in this case your Medical oncologist will prescribe the medicine after the 1st cycle of anti-cancer treatment.

I would like to pay your attention, that all medicines are only for short-time urgent home care. Discuss them with your doctor and nurse. If you experience side effects of your systemic cancer treatment, do not self-medicate.