Medicines
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BCG vaccine
The BCG vaccine helps to protect
against getting tuberculosis (TB).
Important: The BCG vaccine is a live
vaccine so it must be kept cold at all
times or it will not work.
Side effects: The vaccination usually
makes a sore and leaves a scar.
Often comes in: liquid for injection.
How to use:
Inject 0.1 ml in the skin (intradermal
injection), usually on the upper arm.
cefixime
Cefixime is an antibiotic of the
cephalosporin family that is used to
treat many infections including
gonorrhea, pelvic infection, and others.
Important: Be ready to treat an allergic
reaction (see p. 465). People who have
liver problems should be careful when
taking cefixime.
Side effects: Nausea, diarrhea,
headache. May cause yeast infection in
women or diaper rash in children.
Often comes in: tablets of 200 or 400
mg; liquid with 100 mg in 5 ml.
How to use:
For gonorrhea (see p. 324) or pelvic
infection (see p. 325), give 400 mg by
mouth one time only.
Other drugs that may work:
ceftriaxone, erythromycin.
WARNING: Do not give cefixime
to someone who is allergic to
medicines in the cephalosporin
family.
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A Book for Midwives (2010)
ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone is a very strong antibiotic of
the cephalosporin family that is injected
into muscle. It is used for many
infections including gonorrhea,
pelvic infection, kidney infections, and
serious infections after abortion,
childbirth, or miscarriage.
Important: Be ready to treat an allergic
reaction (see p. 465).
Side effects: May cause yeast infection
in women or diaper rash in children.
Often comes in: In vials for injection
of 250 and 500 mg, and 1 gram,
2 grams, and 10 grams.
How to use:
For gonorrhea (see p. 324) or chancroid
(see p. 331), inject 250 mg into muscle
1 time only.
For gonorrhea in a newborn (see
p. 324), inject 125 mg ceftriaxone into
the thigh muscle 1 time only.
Other drugs that may work: cefixime,
erythromycin.
WAR NING: Do not give
ceftriaxone to someone who is
allergic to medicines in the
cephalosporin family.