Possible Side Effects of Treatment

What are the side effects of vinblastine?
Side effects include:
a. Low blood counts (with higher risk of infection).Mild nausea/vomiting/constipation
b. Easily sunburned
c. Skin irritation at site of injection
d. Thin or brittle hair
e. Fatigue
f. Bone pain
g. Hoarseness
h. Seizures
i. Shortness of breath
j. Nerve damage (especially in adults) with tingling, numbness and/or pain of the hands and feet

What are the side effects of prednisone?
Side effects include:
a. Increase in blood sugar
b. Increase in appetite
c. Heartburn
d. Bloating/fluid retention/weight gain
e. Difficulty sleeping
f. Mood/behavior/personality changes
g. Higher risk of infection
h. Slow wound healing
i. Muscle weakness
j. Loss of bone calcium
k. Increased hair growth

More unusual side effects may include:
a. Problems with vision/eye pain
b. Seizures
c. Confusion

What are the side effects of methotrexate?
Side effects include:
a. Mouth sores/swollen, tender gums
b. Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea/decreased appetite
c. Low blood counts
d. Dizziness/drowsiness
e. Headache

More unusual side effects may include:
a. Blurred vision or loss of vision
b. Seizures
c. Confusion
d. Weakness/difficulty moving one or both sides of the body
e. Loss of consciousness
f. Lung damage
g. Allergic reactions

What are the possible side effects of 6-MP (mercaptopurine)?
More common signs/symptoms include:
a. Low blood counts (red cells, white cells, and clotting cells)
b. Nausea/vomiting/decreased appetite
c. Headache
d. Weakness/fatigue/achiness
e. Rash/darkening of the skin

What are the possible side effects of 2-CdA (cladribine/leustatin)?
More common signs/symptoms include:
a. Flu-like symptoms (Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, nausea/vomiting)
b. Decreased appetite
c. Constipation
d. Low blood counts (red cells, white cells, and clotting cells)
e. Skin rash/redness/itching

The answers to the following questions may be found in the Support Information – A Parent’s Guide

THE DISEASE
How is it diagnosed?
How is it treated?
What are the clinical trials?

COPING
How do I cope with the diagnosis?
How do I get the information I want?
How do I talk to my child and their siblings about this?
How do we deal with the treatment?
What happens at the end of the treatment?
What resources are there for sibling or family support?
Where can I get financial support?
How do I find other parents?

Please be advised that all the information you read here is not a replacement for the advice you will get from your consultant and their team.