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CompleteLife Oncology Pharmacy Consult

Chris Fausel, PharmD, is our oncology pharmacist and expert in FDA approved medications and compounds under investigation by Indiana University faculty physicians. Dr. Fausel is available for consultation with patients as well as your entire oncology care team to ensure optimal supportive care for patients with cancer.

Complexities such as drug dosing, drug interactions and drug toxicities are central to Dr. Fausel's daily routine. Dr. Fausel also makes every effort to ensure that any complementary or other medications that a patient may be receiving do not adversely interact with the prescribed chemotherapy regimen.

A note about complementary and alternative therapies

It is important that patients inform all of their health care providers about any complementary and alternative therapies they are currently using or considering. This is to help ensure a safe and coordinated course of care.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to any medical system, practice, or product that is not considered standard care. Complementary and alternative medicine may include dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation.

Little is known about the CAM practices of cancer patients. Published data indicates that more than 30 percent of patients with breast cancer use complementary and alternative therapies.

To date, no randomized trial has demonstrated efficacy of a CAM therapy. However, efforts are underway at the NCI to study certain CAM therapies. It is important that the same scientific evaluation that is used to assess conventional approaches be used to evaluate CAM therapies and document their efficacy and toxicity.

More Information

MedlinePlus: Drug, Supplements and Herbal Information

National Cancer Institute Office of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)