Penicillin G benzathine

Uses

What is penicillin g benzathine used for?

Penicillin g benzathine is commonly used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It may also be used to prevent certain bacterial infections (such as rheumatic fever). This medication is a long-acting penicillin antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Penicillin g benzathine may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should I take penicillin g benzathine?

Penicillin g benzathine is given as an injection at your doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.

How do I store penicillin g benzathine?

Penicillin g benzathine is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store penicillin g benzathine in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of penicillin g benzathine that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush penicillin g benzathine down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using penicillin g benzathine?

Consult with your doctor or pharmacist, if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because, while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.
• You are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
• You have allergy with any of active or inactive ingredients of penicillin g benzathine or other medications.
• You have any other illnesses, disorders, or medical conditions.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

There are no adequate studies in women for determining risk when using this medication during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication. This medication is pregnancy risk category B, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA pregnancy risk category reference below:

• A=No risk
• B=No risk in some studies
• C=There may be some risk
• D=Positive evidence of risk
• X=Contraindicated
• N=Unknown

Side effects

What side effects can occur from penicillin g benzathine?

Penicillin g benzathine may cause following side effects, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain, swelling, lump, bleeding or bruising in the area (where the medication was injected)

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Hoarseness
• Sore throat
• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle or joint pain
• Fast heartbeat
• Severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) with or without fever
• Stomach cramps (occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
• Sudden onset of lower back pain
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Blue or black skin discoloration (where the medication was injected)
• Skin blistering, peeling, or shedding (where the medication was injected)
• Numbness of the arm or leg (where the medication was injected)

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with penicillin g benzathine?

Penicillin g benzathine may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• Methotrexate
• Probenecid
• Birth control pills
• A blood thinner such as warfarin (coumadin, jantoven)
• A tetracycline antibiotic (doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline)

Does food or alcohol interact with penicillin g benzathine?

Penicillin g benzathine may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with penicillin g benzathine?

Penicillin g benzathine may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.

Especially if you have these following conditions, such as:

• Asthma
• Allergies
• Hay fever
• Hives
• Kidney disease

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.

What is the dose of penicillin g benzathine for an adult?

Group A Streptococcal Respiratory Infections:

The recommended dose is 1.2 million units IM (intramuscular injection) x1.

Rheumatic Fever Prophylaxis:

The recommended dose is 1.2 million units IM monthly following acute attack, or 600,000 units IM every 2 weeks.

Syphilis

Primary or secondary (CDC Guidelines 2006): The recommended dose is 2.4 million units IM x1.

If pregnant: Some specialists recommend 2.4 million units IM every week x2.

If HIV+: Some specialists recommend 2.4 million units IM every week x 3.

Early Latent: The recommended dose is 2.4 million units IM x1.

Neurosyphilis: The recommended dose is 2.4 million units IM every week x 3.

Yaw, Bejel, & Pinta:

The recommended dose is 1.2 million units IM x1.

What is the dose of penicillin g benzathine for a child?

Group A Streptococcal Infections

• <27 kg: The recommended dose is 600,000 unit IM x1 (AHA guidelines 2009).
• 27 kg or greater: The recommended dose is 2 million units IM x1 (AHA guidelines 2009).

Rheumatic Fever, Prophylaxis

• <27 kg: The recommended dose is 600,000 units IM q4Weeks; high-risk patients q3Weeks (AHA guidelines 2009).
• 27 kg or greater: The recommended dose is 1.2 million units IM q4Weeks; high-risk patients q3Weeks (AHA guidelines 2009).

Syphilis

• Congenital (<2 years old): The recommended dose is 50,000 units/kg IM x 1 dose.
• Early: The recommended dose is 50,000 units/kg IM x 1 dose; not to exceed 2.4 million units/dose.
• >1 year duration: The recommended dose is 50,000 units/kg qWeek x3 weeks; not to exceed 2.5 million units/dose.

How is penicillin g benzathine available?

Penicillin g benzathine is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

• Injectable Suspension 600,000 units/1mL syringe
• Injectable Suspension 1.2 million units/2mL syringe
• Injectable Suspension 2.4 million units/4mL syringe

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of penicillin g benzathine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.