Penicillin G Benzathine

Penicillin G benzathine is a prescription medication used to treat bacteria that cause infections of the upper airways, heart valves, joints, skin, brain, and the genital areas. Penicillin G benzathine belongs to a group of drugs called penicillin antibiotics, which help stop the growth of bacteria.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects include an allergic reaction, pain at the site of injection, and upset stomach.

Penicillin G benzathine is a prescription medication used to treat bacteria that cause infections of the upper airways, heart valves, joints, skin, brain, and infections that can cause venereal diseases.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Penicillin G Benzathine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Agri-Cillin

• Bactracillin G

• Bactracillin G Benzathine

• Bicillin

• Bicillin L-A

• Combi-Pen-48

• Go-dry

• Masti-clear

• Norocillin

• Pen-Aqueous

• Pen-Ben

• PenJect

• Permapen

• Pfizerpen

• Pro-Pen-G

• Wycillin

Serious side effects have been reported with penicillin G benzathine. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects include:

• an allergic reaction, with symptoms of itching, redness and warmth of skin, and swelling that may occur
• pain at the site of injection
• upset stomach
• rash
• nausea
• vomiting

This is not a complete list of penicillin G benzathine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim)
• probenecid (Probalan, Benemid)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• birth control pills

This is not a complete list of penicillin G benzathine drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with penicillin G benzathine including:

• hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction). This type of reaction may be serious and possibly fatal. These reactions are more likely to occur in those with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start to develop signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction, which include the following:
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • fainting
  • rash
• diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics, and it usually ends when the antibacterial is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as 2 or more months after having taken their last dose of the antibacterial. If diarrhea is severe or lasts more than 2 or 3 days, contact your doctor, as this may be a sign of an infection of the bowels.
• superinfection. Penicillin G benzathine should not be used for extended periods. Prolonged use can lead to the growth of dangerous organisms that are resistant or unaffected by penicillin G benzathine. Take this medication for the duration prescribed by your doctor.

Do not take penicillin G benzathine if you:

• are allergic to penicillin G benzathine or any of its ingredients

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of penicillin G benzathine, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking penicillin G benzathine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to penicillin G benzathine or any of its ingredients
• are allergic to similar antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins)
• have other allergies
• have asthma
• have kidney problems
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Penicillin G benzathine falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with penicillin G benzathine. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Penicillin G benzathine has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from penicillin G benzathine, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of penicillin G benzathine. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of penicillin G benzathine at the same time.

The penicillin G benzathine dose your doctor recommends will be based on:

• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your kidney function
• your age

In addition, the dosage of penicillin G benzathine is specific to the condition being treated:

• For upper airway infections, the recommended dose range for penicillin G benzathine is 300,000 to 1,200,000 units given once.
• For treating syphilis, the recommended dose is 2,400,000 units once.
  • For "late" syphilis, 2,400,000 units is given once (1 dose) every 7 days for a total of 3 doses.
  • For treating congenital syphilis, the recommended dose is 50,000 units/kg in children less than 2. For children ages 2 to 12 years of age, dose adjustment is based on adult dosage.
• For treating yaws, bejels, and pinta, the recommended dose is 1,200,000 units given once.
• For prevention of rheumatic fever, the recommended dose is 1,200,000 units once a month or 600,000 units every 2 weeks.

Penicillin G benzathine is usually administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting making it unlikely for an overdose to occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store in a refrigerator at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F).
• Keep from freezing.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

WARNING: NOT FOR INTRAVENOUS USE. DO NOT INJECT INTRAVENOUSLY OR ADMIX WITH OTHER INTRAVENOUS SOLUTIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF INADVERTENT INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF PENICILLIN G BENZATHINE, WHICH HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH CARDIORESPIRATORY ARREST AND DEATH.