Green Pages Where There Is No Doctor 2011 381
Calcium carbonate
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: tablets of 350 to 850 mg.
This works more slowly than sodium
bicarbonate. It is very effective for occasional
acid indigestion or heartburn, but should not be
used long term or for treatment of ulcers. Chew
one 850 mg. tablet or two 350 mg. tablets when
symptoms occur. Take another dose in 2 hours if
necessary.
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Name:_________________________________________
Often comes in:
Powder for oral liquid: 20 and 40 mg. sachets
price:_________________ for_ ___________________
Capsules: 10 mg., 20 mg., and 40 mg.
price:_________________ for_ ___________________
Omeprazole can calm pain and help an ulcer
heal. But to kill the bacteria that cause the ulcer,
use omeprazole with 2 antibiotics: either amoxicillin
or tetracycline; and metronidazole. Be sure to follow
the advice on p. 128 and 129 to treat and prevent
ulcers.
Dosage of omeprazole for treatment of ulcers:
40 mg. once a day for 10 to 14 days
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: tablets of 150 mg. or 300 mg.
Ranitidine can calm pain and help an ulcer to
heal. But to kill the bacteria that cause the ulcer,
use ranitidine with 2 antibiotics: either amoxicillin or
tetracycline; and metronidazole. But be sure to also
follow the advice on p. 128 and 129 to treat and
prevent ulcers.
Dosage of ranitidine for treatment of ulcers:
150 mg. twice a day, or 300 mg. at
dinnertime, for 1 week.
FOR SEVERE DIARRHEA AND
DEHYDRATION: REHYDRATION
DRINKS, ‘ORS’, AND ZINC
Instructions for making Rehydration Drink with
cereal or ordinary sugar are on page 152.
In some countries packets of a simple sugar
(glucose) and salts for making a rehydration drink
are sold in stores or are available at health posts.
While these packets are sometimes convenient, a
homemade mix using cereal or sugar and a little
salt, as described on page 152, combats diarrhea
as well or better. It is better to make a home mix and
spend the money you save on more and better food.
Be sure to continue giving breast milk to a
baby with diarrhea. And start giving food as
soon as the sick child will accept it. Giving
food together with rehydration drink combats
dehydration more effectively and protects the child
from becoming weaker. Giving zinc in addition to
rehydration drink can also help children with severe
diarrhea get better more quickly (see below).
WARNING: In some countries, packets of ‘ORS’
(oral rehydration salts) are sold in a variety of
preparations, which require different amounts of
water for correct preparation. If you use ORS
packets, be sure you know how much water to
mix with it. Too little water can be dangerous.
CAUTION: If you plan to take a child with diarrhea
to the health post or hospital, always give her lots
of liquids, and if possible a homemade rehydration
drink, before you leave home. And if you can, take
some of the drink (or if nothing else, plain water) with
you, to give to the child on the way to the health post
and while you wait your turn. Give the child the drink
often as much as she will take. If the child is vomiting,
give small quantities every minute. Some of the drink
will stay inside, and it will also help reduce vomiting.
Zinc
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: tablets of 5 mg.,10 mg, and 20 mg.
injections of 1 mg. in 1 ml., 5 mg. in 1 ml., and
10 mg. in 2 ml.
liquid solution of 10 mg. per unit
Giving zinc along with rehydration drink and
food helps children with diarrhea get better, faster.
Zinc tablets can be ground up and mixed with
breast milk or a little water.
Dosage: Give zinc once a day for 10 to 14 days. In
each dose give:
children over 6 months: 20 mg.
babies under 6 months:10 mg.