VACCINE, BCG

BCG vaccine is a live strain of bacillus Calmette-Guérin and is used for the active immunization against tuberculosis. It is also used as an active immunotherapy for bladder cancer.

Uses

BCG vaccine is used in the following:

Active immunisation against tuberculosis
Immunotherapy of bladder cancer

Warnings

BCG vaccine should not be used in people with the following conditions:

Hypersensitivity
Patients who are immunocompromised
HIV-infected
Have fever
Burn patients
Active tuberculosis
Urinary tract infection
Gross haematuria
Recent (<7-14 days) biopsy
Transurethral resection (TUR)
Traumatic catheterisation

Side Effects

BCG vaccine may give rise to the following side effects:

Malaise
Fever
Chills
Nausea
Vomiting
Weight loss
Anorexia
Bladder irritation
Dysuria
Polyuria
Haematuria
Cystitis
Urinary urgency
Urinary tract infections
Anaemia
Flu-like syndrome

Precautions

Precautions

Extra caution should be observed on people with the following conditions:

Persons at high risk for HIV
Severely immunocompromised patients
Persons with a positive PPD reaction
People on antimicrobial treatment (bladder administration)
Patients with small bladder capacity due to increased risk of local reactions
Persistent fever
Fever due to BCG infection
Pregnancy and lactation

Interactions

BCG vaccine may interact with the following medicines:

Antimicrobials
Immune globulins
Immunosuppressants
Live vaccines

Overdose & Brands

If you have used BCG vaccine more than its recommended dose, seek medical help immediately.

Available Brands:

Euro BCG
Euro Pharma BCG Vaccine
Japan BCG
Onco-BCG