Green Pages Where There Is No Doctor 2011 373
FOR GENITAL WARTS
Podophyllin
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: solution containing 10 to 25 percent
podophyllin mixed with benzoin.
This is used to shrink genital warts. Podophyllin
is very irritating to healthy skin, so it should be
used with care. Before applying, it helps to protect
the area around the warts with petroleum jelly
(Vaseline) or some other greasy ointment. Apply
solution to warts and let dry completely. (This
is especially important in areas where normal
skin may touch the wart, such as the foreskin of
the penis.) Wash off thoroughly in 4 to 6 hours.
Treatment can be repeated in one week. Usually
several weekly treatments are needed.
CAUTION: If severe skin irritation develops, do
not use again. Podophyllin should not be used
on bleeding warts. Women who are pregnant or
breastfeeding should not use podophyllin.
Trichloroacetic acid
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: clear liquid.
If podophyllin is not available, trichloroacetic acid
can be used to shrink warts. It also dissolves healthy
skin, so it must be used with care. Protect the skin
around the wart with Vaseline or some other greasy
ointment. Carefully trim off dead tissue from large or
thick warts. With a toothpick, apply a small drop of
acid to the wart. Gently work the acid into the wart
with the point of the toothpick. Several treatments are
usually needed and can be repeated weekly.
CAUTION: This acid can cause severe burns.
Protect hands and other healthy skin from the acid,
and wash immediately in case of contact.
FOR HERPES AND SHINGLES
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Name:______________ price:________ for _____
Often comes in: tablets of 200, 400, or 800 mg.
Acyclovir kills viruses and is used to fight herpes
and shingles. Acyclovir will not cure herpes, but
controls it, making herpes less painful and keeping
it from spreading. Take with lots of water. People
with kidney damage should not take acyclovir.
Side effects: Acyclovir may cause headache,
dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Loss of memory
and not being able to pass urine are signs of taking
too much.
Dosage of acyclovir:
For genital herpes infection or cold sores:
take 200 mg. by mouth, 5 times a day for 7 days.
For shingles: take 600 to 800 mg. by mouth,
5 times a day for 7 to 10 days.
FOR WORMS
Medicines by themselves are not enough to
get rid of worm infections for very long. Guidelines
of personal and public cleanliness must also be
followed. When 1 person in the family has worms, it
is wise to treat the whole family.
Mebendazole (Vermox)
for many different worm infections
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: tablets of 100 or 500 mg.
This medicine works against hookworm,
whipworm, roundworm, pinworm (threadworm), and
another worm called Strongyloides. Works well for
mixed infections. It may do some good in cases of
trichinosis. When treating heavy worm infections
there may be some gut pain or diarrhea, but side
effects are not common.
WARNING: Do not give mebendazole to women in
the first 3 months of pregnancy or children under 6
months old.
Dosage of mebendazole—using 100 mg. tablets
Give the same amount to children over 1 year
old and adults. For babies 6 months to 1 year old,
give half the dosage below.
For pinworm: 1 tablet one time. Give again in
2 weeks if there are still pinworms.
For roundworm (Ascaris), whipworm
(Trichuris), hookworm, and Strongyloides:
1 tablet twice a day (morning and evening) for
3 days (6 tablets in all).
For trichinosis: Give 200–400 mg. 3 times a
day for 3 days. Then give 400–500 mg. 3 times a
day for another 10 days. In severe cases, cortico-
steroids also help, but should be given by a health
worker or doctor.