Green Pages Where There Is No Doctor 2011 379
(Dose may be increased for severe menstrual
pain, severe arthritis or rheumatic fever. Do not give
more than 130 mg./kg./day. If ringing of the ears
develops, lower the dose.)
—75 mg. ‘child’s aspirin’ tablets
Give children aspirin 4 times a day:
children 8 to 12 years: 4 tablets (300 mg.)
children 3 to 7 years: 2 to 3 tablets (150 to
225 mg.)
children 1 to 2 years: 1 tablet (75 mg.)
do not give aspirin to children under
1 year old
Acetaminophen (paracetamol)—for pain and
fever
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Often comes in: 300 to 500 mg. tablets, syrups
Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is safer for
children than aspirin. It does not cause stomach
irritation and so can be used instead of aspirin by
persons with stomach ulcers. It can also be used
by pregnant women. But be careful not to take too
much acetaminophen—too much poisons the liver.
Dosage of acetaminophen—for pain and fever—
500 mg. tablets
Give acetaminophen by mouth 4 times a day.
In each dose give:
adults: 500 mg. to 1 g. (1 or 2 tablets)
children 8 to 12 years: 500 mg. (1 tablet)
children 3 to 7 years: 250 mg. (½ tablet)
children 1 year to 2 years: 125 mg. (¼ tablet)
babies under 1 year: 62 mg. (1⁄8 tablet)
Do not give more than 4000 mg. (8 tablets)
in a day.
Ibuprofen
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: 200 mg. or 400 mg. tablets
Ibuprofen works for muscle swelling and pain,
joint pain from arthritis, menstrual pain, headache,
and to lower fever. It is more expensive than aspirin.
WARNING: Ibuprofen should not be taken by
persons who are allergic to aspirin. Pregnant women
should not use ibuprofen.
Dosage of ibuprofen—for pain and fever—200 mg.
tablets
Give ibuprofen by mouth every 4 to 6 hours.
Always take this medicine with food or a large
glass of water.
In each dose give:
adults and children 12 years and older:
200 mg. (1 tablet)
children under 12 years: Do not give.
If one tablet does not relieve pain or fever, two
tablets may be used. Do not take more than six
tablets in 24 hours.
Ergotamine with caffeine (Cafergot)—for
migraine headache
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: tablets with 1 mg. of ergotamine
Dosage of ergotamine with caffeine for migraine:
adults: Take 2 tablets at the first sign of a
migraine, then 1 tablet every half hour
until the pain goes. But do not take more
than 6 tablets in 24 hours or 10 tablets per
week.
WARNING: Do not take this medicine often. Do
not take when pregnant.
Codeine—for severe pain—see p. 383.
FOR STOPPING PAIN WHEN
CLOSING WOUNDS: ANESTHETICS
Lidocaine (Lignocaine, Xylocaine)
2 percent (with or without epinephrine)
Name:__________________ price:________ for_ ______
Often comes in: ampules or bottles for injection
Lidocaine can be injected around the edges
of a wound before sewing it, to make the area
anesthetic or numb so it will not hurt.
Inject both into and under the skin at points
about 1 cm. apart. Be sure to pull back on the
plunger before injecting (see p. 73). Inject slowly.
Use about 1 ml. of anesthetic for each 2 cm. of
skin. (Do not use more than 20 mls. altogether.) If
the wound is clean, you can inject into the sides of
the wound itself. If the wound is dirty, inject through
the skin (after cleaning it) around the wound and
then clean the wound with great care before
closing it.
Use lidocaine with epinephrine for sewing
most wounds. The epinephrine makes the
numbness last longer and helps control bleeding.
But do not use it on people with heart problems.