BCG LIVE (TICE� BCG) is not a vaccine for the prevention of cancer. BCG Vaccine USP, not BCG LIVE (TICE BCG), should be used for the prevention of tuberculosis. For vaccination use, refer to BCG Vaccine USP prescribing information.
BCG VACCINE- bacillus calmette-guerin substrain tice live antigen injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution
Organon Pharmaceuticals USA
DESCRIPTION
BCG VACCINE for percutaneous use, is an attenuated, live culture preparation of the Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin (BCG) strain of Mycobacterium bovis.1 The TICE� strain used in this BCG VACCINE preparation was developed at the University of Illinois from a strain originated at the Pasteur Institute.
The medium in which the TICE� BCG organism is grown for preparation of the freeze-dried cake is composed of the following ingredients: glycerin, asparagine, citric acid, potassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, and iron ammonium citrate. The final preparation prior to freeze drying also contains lactose. The freeze-dried BCG preparation is delivered in vials, each containing 1 to 8 � 108 colony forming units (CFU) of BCG which is equivalent to approximately 50 mg wet weight. Determination of in-vitro potency is achieved through colony counts derived from a serial dilution assay. Intradermal guinea pig testing is also used as an indirect measure of potency.
Reconstitution requires addition of Sterile Water for Injection, USP at 4-25�C (39-77�F). For an adult dosage, 1 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, should be added to one vial of vaccine. For a pediatric dosage, 2 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, should be added to one vial of vaccine (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
No preservatives have been added.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Tuberculosis (TB) is primarily an airborne communicable disease caused by the bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is an important global public health problem with an estimated 8�10 million cases and 2�3 million deaths occurring each year.2 The control of TB in the United States has been a constant challenge particularly with the resurgence in TB in the late 1980s and the early 1990s. In the United States, TB had declined approximately 6% per year since nationwide reporting began in 1953. However, in 1985 there was a 1.1% increase over the previous year. This upward trend continued through 1992, when the incidence was 10.5 cases per 100,000 population. In 1993, there was a 5.2% decrease over 1992 with a rate of 9.8 cases per 100,000 population.3 In 1997, the total TB cases reported was 19,855 or 7.4 cases per 100,000 people. This incidence rate represented the fifth consecutive year that number of reported TB cases had declined and a 26% decrease since the peak in 1992.4
In the 1990s, drug-resistant TB also became a significant public health concern. During the period of 1993�1996, in the United States, 13.1% of TB patients were infected with TB strains that were resistant to at least one drug used as first-line treatment for TB (isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, and streptomycin) and 2.2% of TB patients were infected with TB strains that were multiple drug resistant (MDR as defined by resistance to both isoniazid and rifampin). Cases of MDR-TB were reported from 42 states and Washington D.C. during this time period.5
CG VACCINE Indications and Usage
BCG VACCINE (TICE� strain) is indicated for the prevention of tuberculosis in persons not previously infected with M. tuberculosis who are at high risk for exposure. As with any vaccine, immunization with BCG VACCINE may not protect 100% of susceptible individuals.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Tuberculosis has recommended that BCG vaccination be considered in the following circumstances.3
