Skip to: site menu | section menu | main content
Flavoured Medication for Pediatric Oncology Patients...
It is estimated that approximately 12,400 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year.
The most common childhood cancers are leukemia, lymphomas, brain tumors and bone cancers. The frequency of cancer diagnoses has risen since the 1970’s. In each individual case, cancer patients and their families must endure the pain, uncertainty and disruptions caused to their lives as a result of the diagnosis. Recognition of the needs of these pediatric oncology patients and the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives has led FLAVORx to dedicate a targeted investigation on how they can best serve the needs of childhood cancer patients.
The chemotherapy, doctor’s exams, constant discomfort of their condition
and the countless medications these children must tolerate, is more than
even the strongest adult could endure. Beyond the physical and medical changes
to a child’s lifestyle, diagnosis and treatment also cause feelings
of fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, sadness and depression. Therefore, any way
of making these children’s lives a little easier, a little less painful
and a little less traumatic is what FLAVORx strives for. Succeeding in this
manner is what sets FLAVORx apart as a company dedicated to understanding
the needs and situations of all children.
Medications used during cancer treatment are essential to alleviate or eradicate
the signs of cancer from the body and can be classified into two groups:
antineoplastic (cancer-fighting) or immuno-suppression (lessening the body’s
reaction). These include drugs that can prevent infection, like antibiotics,
or drugs that treat side effects such as nausea and pain. FLAVORx testing
and research with children has shown that some flavors mask the existing
tastes of certain medications better than others. Of the following common
cancer medications, here are some of the most effective flavors:
1. Zofran (for nausea associated with chemotherapy)- Raspberry, Natural Orange,
Bubblegum
2. Phenergan (for nausea associated with chemotherapy)- Grape, Sour Apple,
Peaches and Cream
3. Acyclovir (to prevent viral infections)- Orange Cream, Banana, Cherry
4. Septra/Bactrim (to prevent some types of pneumonia)- Grape, Bubblegum,
Watermelon
5. Vancomycin (an antibiotic)- Vanilla, Strawberry Cream, Grape/Bubblegum
6. Roxanol (to relieve pain)- Grape, Raspberry, Orange Cream
Many years ago, a father came to FLAVORx with a problem. His young son had
an inoperable brain tumor and was on a very strict regimen of medications.
In anticipation of the medications’ taste, the young boy would become
nauseated hours before he had to take them everyday, and simply could not
keep them down. With no foreseeable solution, his parents were told if
he couldn't ingest the medications necessary for his survival, they would
have no choice but to return him to the hospital and administer the medications
intravenously. Needlessly readmitting their son to the hospital would add
unnecessary strain and suffering to an already unbearable situation. The
family knew he would only be comfortable in a home setting, not in a cold,
sterile hospital.
They finally found FLAVORx and Kenny asked the entire family to come in to see how he could help. Kenny asked the little boy to name his favorite flavor, and without hesitation, he responded "Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups." Kenny created a formulation using a combination of peanut butter and chocolate flavoring to pair with each of his medications.After that the young boy was able to take all of his medicine without opposition. Sadly, he only lived for eight more months but his final months were spent at home with his family and those that loved him, surrounded by familiarity. Kenny recalls, "Knowing that we were able to bring this child a little happiness at the end of his life is a feeling that I will never forget. It was a feeling of triumph over an otherwise cold world that for the most part didn’t do all it could to help a little boy, and value the importance of his life. I will always remember him and feel we succeeded by helping him and his family. After this, I vowed I would never let another child’s health and happiness fall by the wayside if I could help it."
It is extremely important that children with compromised immunity, as in
the case of cancer, take all medications prescribed by their physicians
as they are precisely directed. FLAVORx has improved treatment quality
in administering medicines by alleviating the unnecessary strain, trauma
and more importantly, ramifications of medicinal non-compliance by improving
the taste of unpalatable medications. FLAVORx President and CEO, Kenny
Kramm, has brought increased pediatric oncology awareness to his company,
as well as a heightened dedication to patient needs. FLAVORx offers 42
scientifically developed and safety-tested flavors to cover both over-the-counter
and prescription medications and is available at most pharmacies nationwide.
NOTE: This web site is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice. The information provided through this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider