BCG

Brand Names

BCG, TheraCys® BCG, TICE® BCG

What is BCG

BCG or bacille Calmette-Guerin is a vaccine used in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) disease. Many foreign-born persons have been BCG-vaccinated. BCG is used in many countries with a high prevalence of TB in order to prevent childhood TB meningitis and miliary disease.

BCG is not generally recommended for use in the U.S.A due to the low risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the variable effectiveness of the vaccine against adult pulmonary TB and the vaccine’s potential interference with tuberculin skin test reactivity. The BCG vaccine should be received only by people who meet specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert.


Side effects of BCG

The most common side effects of BCG are considered to be:

  • fever, chills, cough, body aches, joint pain, weakness, vomiting or other flu symptoms
  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, jaundice
  • pain or burning when you urinate
  • difficult urination
  • more frequent or urgent urinating
  • blood in your urine, lower back pain
  • pain or swelling in your testicles
  • easy bruising or bleeding
  • eye pain, redness, watering, severe burning or itching
  • vision changes, increased sensitivity to light


Indication

BCG vaccine is used to treat TB disease. It works by stimulating the body's immune response to the bacteria without actually causing the disease.


Precautions

The usage of BCG is not recommended for people who have:

  • tuberculosis
  • a weak immune system from diseases such as AIDS, leukemia or lymphoma
  • fever, a bladder infection or blood in your urine
  • if you are using steroids or receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments
  • if you have had a bladder biopsy, surgery or catheter within the past 14 days
  • any type of bacterial, fungal or viral infection (including HIV)
  • myasthenia gravis
  • a pacemaker or other artificial heart device
  • an artificial joint or other prosthetic
  • a history of aneurysm (dilated blood vessel)
  • if you have ever had bypass surgery
  • if you need to have an organ transplant (kidney, liver, heart, etc)


Dosage forms

Dose Single dose Frequency Route Instructions
Adult Dosage (>12 years)
0.100 ml 0.1 (0.1) As recommended Transdermal Usually given in children, refer neonatal dosage
Paedriatic Dosage (20 Kg)
0.100 ml 0.1 (0.1) As recommended Transdermal Once or As Required
Neonatal Dosage (3 Kg)
0.050 ml 0.05 (0.05) 24 hourly Transdermal Once or as required

Most Searched Diseases

See all

Most Searched Drugs

See all