Medicines to Treat Tetanus

Definition

Although rare in Italy, if contracted in the absence of a previous vaccination, tetanus is a fatal disease: we are talking about an "acute but not contagious bacterial infection involving the nervous system.

Causes

Tetanus is caused by the penetration of the bacterium's spores Clostridium tetani in the skin: the entry of the pathogen through the skin is favored by a wound resulting from the penetration of infected foreign bodies, such as nails or splinters.

Tetanus is an anaerobic pathogen located in the digestive system of herbivorous animals: it is released into the environment through their faeces.

Symptoms

Tetanus generally begins with involuntary and painful blockage of the jaw; this is associated with agitation, mood alteration, anxiety, painful convulsions, difficulty in swallowing food and liquids, excruciating pain, fever, hypertension, perception of cold, musculoskeletal stiffness and profuse sweating. Death occurs from associated respiratory muscle paralysis. or not to heart complications.

The information on Tetanus - Tetanus Cure Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Tetanus - Tetanus Cure Drugs.

Medicines

Given the high danger of tetanus, vaccination is mandatory in our country; an unvaccinated person who contracts tetanus must be immediately admitted to intensive care centers. Furthermore, the timely administration of specific anti-tetanus immunoglobulins reduces the risk of death. In the case of deep lesions at risk of tetanus, prophylaxis with antibiotics (for example with amoxicillin / benzylpenicillin combined with clavulanic acid / metronidazole / tinidazole) is necessary. The administration of anticonvulsant drugs and relaxants of the skeletal muscles to alleviate the symptoms is also indicated.

In case of a deep wound ideally infected with tetanus beating, a thorough cleaning of the lesion is necessary before starting drug treatment.

The following are the classes of drugs most used in tetanus therapy, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:

Human tetanus immunoglobulins: they are indicated for the treatment of wounds potentially at risk of tetanus. They are useful for "reversing" the poison: immunoglobulins are administered by deep intramuscular injection. Consult your doctor.

Antibiotics: These drugs must be associated with the administration of specific immunoglobulins. The following is a list of the most commonly used antibiotics in therapy: it is then up to the doctor to indicate the dosage and method of use, based on the severity of the disease and the response to treatment.

Penicillin (eg. Benzyl B, Penicillin G)
Clindamycin (eg. Dalacin-T, Clindamycin BIN, Zindaclin, Dalacin-C)
Erythromycin (eg. Erythrocin, Erythro L, Lauromycin)
Metronidazole (eg. Metronid, Deflamon, Flagyl): the antibiotic drug most used in therapy for the treatment of tetanus, always associated with specific immunoglobulins.

Muscle relaxants: particularly useful in case of tetanus associated with acute muscle spasticity

Methocarbamol (eg Miowas, Robaxin): for adults, administer a drug dose of 1-2 mg directly into the IV tube, followed by an additional "1-2 mg dose by intravenous infusion (max. Starting dose: 3 g). Repeat this treatment every 6 hours; it is possible to insert a nasogastric tube. Subsequently, it is possible to take the drug in the form of saline via a nasogastric tube. For children with tetanus, the drug is initially administered at a dose of 15 mg / kg every 6 hours. The maintenance dosage can be taken by intravenous infusion or by injection into tubes.

Anticonvulsants to reduce tetanus-associated seizures:

Diazepam (benzodiazepines: eg Micropam, Ansiolin, Diazepam FN, Valium, Diazepam, Valpinax) for affected newborns (0-4 weeks of life), it is recommended to administer 0.83 - 1.67 mg / kg every hour by continuous intravenous infusion; alternatively, it is possible to take the drug at a dose of 1.67 - 3.33 mg / kg by slow intravenous infusion every 2 hours, for a total of 20-40 mg per kilo of drug. Diazepam is not considered a first choice drug for newborns, due to the content of benzyl alcohol and propylene glycol. When the child is between 1 month and 5 years of age, the recommended dosage is changed: 1-2 mg of drug intramuscularly / slow intravenous, repeated every 3-4 hours when necessary; alternatively, administer 15 mg / kg per day divided into doses, every 2 hours Over 5 years, the dose for the treatment of tetanus is 5-10 mg administered every 3-4 hours as needed.

Medicines to calm the patient with tetanus:

Chlorpromazine (eg. Clorpr C, Prozin) take 25-50 mg of the drug intramuscularly 3-4 times a day, possibly in association with barbiturates. The total dose and the frequency of administration of the drug must be established by the doctor based on the patient's response to the treatment, starting with a rather low dosage to gradually increase it. Intravenously, take 25-50 mg of active diluted in at least 1 mg / ml, administered at a rate of 1 mg per minute.

Antipyretic drugs: useful for lowering the fever associated with tetanus. It is also advisable to drink plenty of fluids and take light foods.

Paracetamol (or acetaminophen: eg Tachipirina, Acetamol, BUSCOPAN COMPOSITUM) take the drug orally in the form of tablets, syrup, effervescent sachets or suppositories; it is recommended to take paracetamol at a dosage of 325-650 mg every 4-6 hours for 6-8 consecutive days, to lower the fever. It is also possible to take the drug intravenously: 1 gram every 6 hours or 650 mg every 4 hours for adults and adolescents who weigh more than 50 kilos: if the patient weighs less than 50 kilos, administer 15mg / kg every 6 hours or 12 , 5 mg / kg every 4 hours.

Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children under the age of 12.

Sometimes, surgery is helpful in cleaning the wound and removing the source of the venom.

Tetanus: prophylaxis

Vaccination is the most effective and intelligent method to prevent tetanus: it is important to remember that, in Italy, the tetanus vaccine is mandatory.
Primary immunization consists of the administration of 3 doses of combined vaccine, to be injected with an interval of one month from each other (for children under 10 years of age). This vaccination scheme is useful for ensuring immunization against the disease both during childhood and for the two booster vaccinations: the first to be carried out during the beginning of primary school, the second at the end of the school cycle. It is recommended that a booster dose be given in the event of a suspected tetanus wound, even after primary vaccination.
An adult man who has already taken at least 5 doses of the vaccine can be considered almost immune to tetanus for life.
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