Medications
Australia
Medication safety and monitoring
Learn how to keep your child safe while taking medication for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Discover why regular blood tests matter, how to reduce infection risks, which vaccination precautions to know, why sun protection is important, and which side effects to watch for.
Medicines can play an important role in managing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Some help reduce inflammation, while others suppress parts of the immune system to keep the disease under control.
Alongside helping your child feel better, it’s important to understand how their medication is monitored, which side effects to watch for and how to reduce the risk of infections.
Every medicine is different, so your child’s paediatric gastroenterology team should explain the specific precautions and monitoring required for their treatment.
🩸 Why does my child need regular blood tests?
Some IBD medicines can affect the liver, blood cells, kidneys or other parts of the body. Regular blood tests help the treating team check that the medicine is working safely and identify potential problems before symptoms develop.
Depending on your child’s medication, blood tests may check:
Full blood count: checks red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Liver function: checks for signs of liver irritation or damage.
Kidney function: monitors kidney health when relevant to the medication.
Inflammation markers: such as CRP, which can help assess inflammation.
Iron levels and other nutritional markers: to monitor deficiencies that can occur with IBD.
Some medicines require more frequent blood tests when treatment begins or when the dose changes. Testing may become less frequent once treatment is stable, depending on the medicine and your child’s results.
Parent tip: Keep a record of your child’s blood tests and upcoming appointments. Ask the IBD team who will contact you about abnormal results and what to do if a scheduled test is missed.
🦠 Infection precautions: what should parents know?
Some IBD medicines, including immunomodulators, biologic medicines and corticosteroids, can weaken or alter the immune system. This may make certain infections more likely or increase the risk of complications from an infection.
Practical precautions include:
Encourage regular handwashing, particularly before eating and after using the toilet.
Avoid close contact with people who have a known contagious illness where practical.
Keep your child’s vaccinations up to date, following advice from their treating team.
Tell healthcare professionals about your child’s IBD medicines before they prescribe new medication or treat an infection.
Contact your child’s IBD team if they develop a fever, feel unusually unwell or have symptoms of a significant infection.
Your child may not need to avoid everyday activities or every person with a cold. The level of precaution depends on their treatment, dose, health and the type of infection.
When to seek urgent help: Follow the fever and illness instructions provided by your child’s treating team. If your child is seriously unwell, has difficulty breathing, becomes confused or is difficult to wake, seek emergency medical care.
💉 Vaccinations: which ones are important?
Vaccination helps protect children against preventable infections. However, some IBD medicines affect which vaccines your child can safely receive.
Your child’s gastroenterologist or GP can review their vaccination history and recommend an appropriate schedule.
Inactivated vaccines: These do not contain live organisms and are generally safe for children taking immunosuppressive medication, although the immune response may be reduced.
Live vaccines: These may not be suitable while a child is taking certain immunosuppressive medicines. Examples include some formulations of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), chickenpox and nasal influenza vaccines.
Vaccine recommendations depend on the specific vaccine and medication. Do not start, stop or delay IBD treatment to receive a vaccine without specialist advice.
☀️ Sun protection: why does it matter?
Some IBD medicines can increase sensitivity to sunlight or raise the risk of certain skin cancers.
This is particularly important for children taking azathioprine or mercaptopurine, which are associated with an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancers.
Help your child build sun-safe habits:
Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50 or SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply as directed.
Wear a broad-brimmed hat, protective clothing and sunglasses.
Seek shade, particularly when the UV index is high.
Avoid tanning beds and deliberate tanning.
Check your child’s skin for new or changing spots and sores that do not heal.
Discuss any concerning skin changes with their doctor.
Sun protection is important for all children in Australia, but it deserves particular attention when taking medicines that increase skin cancer risk.
⚠️ Monitoring for side effects
Every medication has potential side effects. Some are mild, while others need prompt medical attention.
Keep an eye out for changes in how your child feels, and let their treating team know about new or persistent symptoms.
Depending on the medication, possible warning signs may include:
Fever, chills or recurrent infections.
Unusual bruising or bleeding.
Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or severe abdominal pain.
A persistent cough or shortness of breath.
A new rash or an allergic reaction.
Severe or worsening abdominal pain, vomiting or a significant change in bowel symptoms.
These symptoms do not automatically mean the medication is causing a problem, but they may need assessment.
Seek emergency help for difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, collapse or other signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Never stop or change your child’s medication dose without medical advice unless you have been given specific instructions for an urgent situation.
📋 What should you ask your child’s IBD team?
It can be difficult to remember everything during appointments. Consider keeping these questions in your phone or taking them to your next visit:
Which blood tests does my child need, and how often?
Who reviews the results, and how will we be contacted?
What should we do if my child develops a fever?
Are there any vaccines my child should avoid or receive before treatment?
Does this medicine increase sun sensitivity or skin cancer risk?
Which side effects need urgent medical attention?
Are there any medicines, supplements or over-the-counter products my child should avoid?
What should we do if a dose is missed or my child vomits after taking medication?
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ou can also ask for a written medication plan that explains when to take each medicine, what monitoring is required and who to contact if you are concerned.
💙 Helping your child stay safe and confident
Medication monitoring can feel like another thing to manage when your child already has appointments, school and everyday life to navigate. But regular checks and knowing what to look out for can help you and your child feel more confident about treatment.
As your child gets older, involve them in age-appropriate ways. They can learn the names of their medicines, understand why blood tests are needed and know when to tell an adult they feel unwell.
The goal is not to make your child afraid of medication. It is to help them understand their treatment and build safe habits as they grow.
🔗 Where to find more information
Cancer Council Australia — sun protection and skin cancer prevention information.
This article provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Monitoring requirements, infection precautions and vaccine recommendations vary according to the medicine and your child’s circumstances. Always follow the advice of your child’s paediatric gastroenterology team.
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