Green Pages Where There Is No Doctor 2011 391
Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: tablets of 100 or 200 mcg.
Misoprostol can be used to prevent or control
heavy bleeding after childbirth, and control heavy
bleeding from miscarriage or abortion. It can
also be used to end a pregnancy, but it is safer
when taken with another medicine, mifepristone
(see Where Women Have No Doctor for more
information).
Dosage for heavy bleeding:
Give 600 mcg by mouth (dissolve tablets against
the cheek or under the tongue and then swallow
any remaining parts). If the woman is feeling
nauseous, you can also put the tablets up her anus
to dissolve there.
Mixed (or multi) vitamins
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
These come in many forms, but tablets are
cheapest and work well. Injections of vitamins are
rarely necessary, are a waste of money, cause
unnecessary pain and sometimes abscesses.
Tonics and elixirs often do not have the most
important vitamins and are usually more expensive.
Nutritious food is the best source of vitamins.
If additional vitamins are needed, use vitamin tablets.
In some cases of poor nutrition added vitamins
may help, and multivitamins can be helpful for
people with HIV. Be sure the tablets used contain
all the important vitamins (see p. 118).
Using standard tablets of mixed vitamins,
1 tablet daily is usually enough.
FOR PILES (HEMORRHOIDS)
Suppositories for hemorrhoids
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
These are special bullet-shaped tablets to be
put up the anus. They help make hemorrhoids
smaller and less painful. There are many different
preparations. Those that are often most helpful,
but are more expensive, contain cortisone or
a cortico-steroid. Special ointments are also
available. Diets to soften stools are important
(see p. 126).
Dosage:
Put a suppository up the anus after the daily
bowel movement, and another on going to bed.
FOR MALNUTRITION AND ANEMIA
Powdered milk (dried milk)
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
For babies, mother’s milk is best. It is rich in
body-building vitamins and minerals. When breast
milk is not available, other milk products—including
powdered milk—can be used. To allow a baby to
make full use of its food value, mix the powdered
milk with some sugar and cooking oil (see p. 120).
In 1 cup of boiled water, put:
12 level teaspoons of powdered milk,
2 level teaspoons of sugar,
and 3 teaspoons of oil
Vitamin A (retinol)—for night blindness and
xerophthalmia
Name:_________________________________________
Often comes as:
capsules of 200,000 units, 60 mg. of retinol
(also in smaller doses)
price:_________________ for_ ___________________
injections of 100,000 units
price:_________________ for_ ___________________
WARNING: Do not give too much Vitamin A, and
keep out of the reach of children.
For prevention: In areas where night blindness
and xerophthalmia are common problems in
children, they should eat more yellow fruits and
vegetables and dark green leafy foods as well as
animal foods, such as eggs and liver. Fish liver oil
is high in vitamin A. Or vitamin A capsules can be
given. Give 1 capsule once every 4 to 6 months.
Mothers can help prevent these eye problems in
their babies by taking 1 vitamin A capsule (200,000
units) by mouth when their baby is born or within
1 month after giving birth.
Children with measles are at especially high risk
of xerophthalmia, and should be given vitamin A
when the illness begins.
In areas where children do not get enough vitamin
A, added foods or capsules with vitamin A often help
children survive measles and other serious illnesses.
For treatment: Give 1 vitamin A capsule (200,000
units) by mouth, or an injection of 100,000 units. The
next day give 1 vitamin A capsule (200,000 units) by
mouth, and another capsule 1 to 2 weeks later.
For children less than 1 year old, reduce all
doses by one-half.