Medicines and products for tetanus

Medicines and products for tetanus

All tetanus medicines are hospital medicines. There is no over-the-counter product, syrup or supplement that treats tetanus. Treatment is given by doctors, usually in an ICU:

• Tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG): human antitoxin that neutralizes toxin still circulating in the blood. Given as soon as possible after diagnosis.
• Antibiotics: typically metronidazole (or penicillin) to kill the bacteria in the wound and stop further toxin production.
• Wound care: surgical cleaning and removal of dead or contaminated tissue so no source of toxin remains.
• Spasm control: sedatives and muscle relaxants (such as benzodiazepines) to control painful spasms; severe cases need ICU paralysis and a ventilator.
• Supportive care: airway protection, nutrition, fluids, and treatment of blood-pressure and heart-rhythm swings.

The preventive products that actually matter:

• Tetanus vaccine (TT/Td, or Tdap): the single most important product. Children receive it in routine immunization; adults need a booster every 10 years. After a dirty wound, a booster is advised if the last dose was over 5 years ago or the vaccination history is incomplete.
• given to people with dirty wounds who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated.