352 procaine penicillin, tetanus toxoid
procaine penicillin
(Benzylpenicillin Procaine, Bicillin C-R,
Crysticillin, Duracillin AS, Penadur,
Pfizepen AS, Wycillin)
Procaine penicillin is an antibiotic used to
treat womb and other infections, such as
infected pressure sores, and gonorrhea
that is not resistant to penicillin.
Important: When taken with probenicid
(see page 351), the amount of penicillin
in the blood increases and lasts longer,
making the treatment more effective.
Side effects: May cause yeast infection
in women, and a rash on a baby or small
child’s bottom.
Often comes in: Vials for injection of
300,000 and 400,000 and 600,000
Units; powder for mixing injections of
1 gram = 1 million Units.
How to use:
For fever during pregnancy,
inject 1.2 million Units into muscle every
12 hours while you take the woman for
medical treatment.
Other medicines that may work:
For fever during pregnancy: ampicillin,
metronidazole
WARNING: Procaine penicillin
can cause asthma attacks in
people who have asthma. Never
use this drug with tetracycline. Do not use
procaine penicillin if you are allergic to
antibiotics in the penicillin family. Never
inject this into the vein.
tetanus toxoid
(Tetavax)
Tetanus toxoid is an immunization given
to prevent a tetanus infection. It can
be given during or after pregnancy, or
after a miscarriage. If a woman gets 2
injections (or better still, 3 injections)
when pregnant, it will also prevent this
deadly infection in her newborn baby.
Important: Tetanus immunizations
should be given to everyone, starting in
childhood.
Side effects: Pain, redness, warmth,
slight swelling
Often comes in: Liquid for injection of
4, 5, or 10 U per 0.5 ml
How to use: To be safe from tetanus
for your entire life, you must get 5
immunization injections, and then one
injection every 10 years.
For each immunization: Give 1 injection
of 0.5 ml into the muscle of the upper arm.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007