350 paracetamol, acetaminophen, penicillin
paracetamol or acetaminophen
(APAP, Panadol, Tempra, Tylenol,
others)
Paracetamol and acetaminophen are
2 names for the same drug that is used
to ease pain and lower fever. It is one of
the safest pain killers. It does not cause
stomach irritation and so it can be used
instead of aspirin or ibuprofen by people
with stomach ulcers. It can also be used
by pregnant women, and is safe at lower
doses for children.
Important: Paracetamol does not cure
sickness, it only eases pain or fever. It is
important to find the cause of the pain
and fever and treat that.
Signs of taking too much: Nausea,
vomiting, pain in the stomach
Often comes in: Tablets of 100, 325,
and 500 mg; liquid in 120 and 160 ml per
5 ml; inserts of 80, 120, 300, 325, or
650 mg; drops of 80 mg per 0.8 ml
How to use:
For pain or to lower fever, take 500 to
1000 mg by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as
needed.
Other medicines that may work:
For pain, fever, or swelling: aspirin
or ibuprofen may work, but do not use
either during pregnancy.
WARNING: Do not take if you
have liver or kidney damage. It
can cause damage if taken
regularly during or after drinking alcohol.
penicillin
(Bentapen VK, PenVee K,
phenoxymethyl penicillin)
Penicillin is an antibiotic used to treat
mouth, tooth, skin, womb, and many
other infections. Unfortunately, a lot of
resistance to penicillin has developed
and it is less useful than previously.
Important: Watch for allergic reactions
and allergic shock.
Side effects: Rash
Often comes in: Tablets of 250, 500
mg; liquid of 125 or 250 mg per 5 ml
How to use:
For womb infection after childbirth,
take 250 mg (which is the same as
400,000 U) by mouth 4 times a day for
7 days.
For skin infection or sores, take 250
mg by mouth 4 times a day for 10 days.
Other medicines that may work:
For womb infection after childbirth:
amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin,
doxycycline, metronidazole
For skin infection: dicloxicillin,
doxycycline, erythromycin, tetracycline
WARNING: Do not take if
you are allergic to any of the
medicines in the penicillin family.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007