What
medicines may my baby need and why are they given?
The
medicines needed will depend upon your child’s condition
and progress but some commonly used are:
- Antibiotics
– After the operation a course of antibiotics is initially
given by "drip" and completed by mouth. They are
used to reduce the risk of infection spreading from the gut
into the liver. Further courses will be prescribed as required.
- Vitamins
– Additional vitamins are necessary because poor bile
flow can reduce absorption of vitamins. Some may need to be
given by injection.
- Phenobarbitone
– This may be given to increase the flow of bile. As
it may make your baby sleepy at first it is usually given
in one dose a day, in the evening.
- Cholestyramine
– This comes in the form of a powder in individual sachets.
Each sachet is mixed with water and given in liquid form.
This may be given to improve liver function and remove substances
which may otherwise cause the skin to itch. Cholestyramine
can affect the absorption of some drugs, especially vitamins.
Therefore, with babies it is best to give some at each feed
time except when vitamins are given. As your baby becomes
older and manages larger volumes the daily dose of Cholestyramine
can be given all at once or split into two. For a toddler
or an older child needing Cholestyramine, it is best given
in one or two doses away from the main meal times and vitamins.
Always leave two hours between giving Cholestyramine and vitamins.
- Sprironolactone
– This may need to be given to help your baby get rid
excess fluid which otherwise collects in the abdomen and is
called ascites. It is not needed in all cases.
- URSO
– This drug may be given at the onset of feeding after
Kasai. It is thought to help promote the flow of bile.
- Ranitidine
– It is common to find stomach irritation after any type
of abdominal operation and this drug may be given to help
alleviate this problem.
If
your baby/child needs medicine to reduce a temperature, remember
aspirin, and drugs containing aspirin, must not be given; it is
safer to sponge your baby with lukewarm water but if this does
not work use paracetamol. Ibuprofen should not be given.
Last created on 21-02-2001
Last updated
on 18-11-2006
