358 Where There Is No Doctor  2011 Green Pages
CEPHALOSPORINS
These are powerful antibiotics that work against
many different kinds of bacteria. They are often
expensive and not widely available. For that reason,
we have not usually recommended them as first
choice treatments in this book. However, they
generally have fewer risks and side effects than
many other antibiotics and, when obtainable, can
be useful in treating certain serious diseases.
There are many different types, including
cefazolin (Ancef), cephalexin (Keflex), cephradine
(Velosef), cefurazine (Ceftin), cefoxitin (Mefoxin),
ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefotaxime (Claforan), and
ceftazidime (Fortaz, Taxidime, Tazicef). Various
cephalosporins can be used for pneumonia, urinary
infections, typhoid, gut or pelvic infections, bone
infections, and meningitis. Some, like ceftriaxone,
can be useful for treating sexually transmitted
infections such as gonorrhea (p. 359), eye
infections in newborns, appendicitis, or peritonitis
(p. 93).
Get advice on dosages and side effects before
using these medicines. Also, do not use them
for mild illnesses or diseases that can be treated
equally well with less expensive antibiotics.
other antibiotics
Ciprofloxacin
Name:_________________________________________
Price: __________________ for_ ___________________
Often comes in: tablets of 250, 500, or 750 mg.
Ciprofloxacin is a powerful antibiotic of the
quinolone family. It is used to treat infections that
have become resistant to penicillin and other
antibiotics. Some important uses of ciprofloxacin
are to treat chancroid, shigella, typhoid, peritonitis,
and appendicitis. However, for most infections it is
still better to use a less expensive medicine such
as penicillin or ampicillin.
Risks and Precautions:
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should
not use ciprofloxacin. It is best to avoid giving
ciprofloxacin to children if possible.
Dosage of ciprofloxacin:
adults: Give 500 mg., 2 times a day
For chancroid and shigella, give the above
dosage for 3 days. But give for 7 days if the person
also has HIV.
For typhoid, give the above dosage for 10 days.
Clindamycin
Name:_________________________________________
Often comes in:
capsules of 25, 75, 150, and 300 mg.
Price: ________________ for_ ___________________
liquid, 15 mg./ml.
Price: ________________ for_ ___________________
Clindamycin is a strong antibiotic of the
lincosamide family that is used to treat many kinds
of infections. Clindamycin is especially useful for
treating infections that have become resistant
to penicillin, such as bone infections. It can also
be used with quinine to treat malaria in pregnant
women (see p. 366 for dosage).
Risks and Precautions:
If you are taking clindamycin and start to have
diarrhea, stop taking it immediately. It can cause
serious problems.
Dosage of clindamycin
Give clindamycin by mouth, 3 times a day.
In each dose give:
adults: 150-400 mg.
children 8-12 years: 150-300 mg.
children 3-7 years: 75-150 mg.
children under 3 years: 37.5-75 mg.
Gentamicin
Gentamicin is an injectable antibiotic that is
used for very serious infections such as septicemia
in a newborn and infection after giving birth (see
pages 275 and 276 for dosages). Gentamicin
should only be given by an experienced health
worker, and only when other, safer medicines
are not available. Incorrect use of this medicine
can cause deafness and serious damage to the
kidneys. We are not including dosage information
here because this medicine is so dangerous. For
your safety, we recommend that you use one of the
other medicines listed on pages 351 to 360 to treat
infections.