Penicillin G Benzathine (Bicillin L-A) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage (original) (raw)
- What is penicillin g benzathine? What is penicillin g benzathine used for?
- What are the side effects of penicillin g benzathine?
- What is the dosage for penicillin g benzathine?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with penicillin g benzathine?
- Is penicillin g benzathine safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about penicillin g benzathine?
What is penicillin g benzathine? What is penicillin g benzathine used for?
Penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A) is a penicillin antibiotic that is given by deep intramuscular injection. Penicillin G benzathine kills susceptible bacteria by inhibiting the synthesis or formation of bacterial cell wall. It is thought to preferentially bind to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) found inside the bacterial cell wall. The end result of the inhibition of bacterial cell synthesis is cell lysis and the death of the susceptible bacteria.
Penicillin G benzathine has poor solubility and is therefore very slowly released from the site of injection. In the blood, penicillin G benzathine is broken down to penicillin G. Penicillin G benzathine formulation is released and absorbed slowly to allow for a more prolonged duration of action (drug works slowly over an longer period of time).
What brand names are available for penicillin g benzathine?
Bicillin L-A
Is penicillin g benzathine available as a generic drug?
Not available in the US
Do I need a prescription for penicillin g benzathine?
Yes
What are the side effects of penicillin g benzathine?
Side effects associated with penicillin G benzathine treatment are:
- hypersensitivity or allergic reactions,
- upset stomach,
- neuropathy,
- cardiac or heart problems,
- dizziness,
- fatigue,
- headache,
- nervousness,
- pain,
- seizures,
- weakness,
- sexual dysfunction,
- injection site reactions,
- blurred vision,
- kidney problems, and
- others.
QUESTION Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day. See Answer
What is the dosage for penicillin g benzathine?
- Streptococcal (Group A) upper respiratory infectionsAdult patients are administered a single injection of 1,200,000 units; older pediatric patients are administered a single injection of 900,000 units; infants and pediatric patients < 60 Ibs are administered 300,000 to 600,00 units. *** Syphilis For the treatment of primary, secondary, and latent syphilis the recommended dose is 2,400,000 units as a one-time dose. For the treatment of tertiary and neurosyphilis the recommended dose is 2,400,000 every 7 days for a total of three doses. For the treatment of congenital syphilis in patients under the age of 2, the recommended dose is 50,000 units/kg.** *** Yaws, Bejel, and Pinta The recommended dose is 1,200,000 units administered as a single injection.** *** Prevention of rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis After an acute attack, penicillin G benzathine may be given in doses of 1,200,000 units once a month or 600,000 units every 2 weeks.**
****### Health News**
****### Which drugs or supplements interact with penicillin g benzathine?**
: Penicillin G benzathine may decrease the renal tubular secretion (elimination via the kidneys) of methotrexate (Trexall, Rheumatrex) causing an increase in blood levels of methotrexate. Patients on combination therapy should be closely monitored for the occurrence of side effects.
Penicillin G benzathine may interfere with the body's response to the live typhoid vaccine (Vivotif Berna Vaccine). The general recommendation is to wait 24 hours or longer since the administration of the last dose of the antibiotic before administrating the vaccine.
Penicillin G benzathine may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives(birth control pills). Patients may need to use a backup method of contraceptivewhile on antibiotic treatment.
Coadminstration of penicillin G benzathine with warfarin (Coumadin) may increase the risk of bleeding. Antibiotics may inhibit vitamin K synthesis and warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist (also inhibits the action of vitamin K). Patients on combination therapy should be closely monitored for signs or symptoms of bleeding.
Is penicillin g benzathine safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Penicillin G benzathine is excreted in human milk. Due to the lack of safety data, penicillin G benzathine should be used cautiously in females who are breastfeeding.
What else should I know about penicillin g benzathine?
What preparations of penicillin g benzathine are available?
Penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension: 1 ml (600,000 units per syringe), 2 ml (1,200,000 units per syringe), and 4 ml (2,400,000 units per syringe).
How should I keep penicillin g benzathine stored?
Suspension should be stored in a refrigerator, between 2 C and 8 C (36 F and 86 F).
Summary
Penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension (Bicillin L-A) is an antibiotic prescribed to treat upper respiratory infection and STDs like syphilis. Penicillin G also is prescribed to prevent rheumatic fever (chorea). Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, storage, and pregnancy safety information should be reviewed prior to using this medication.
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Related Disease Conditions
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Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barr. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Treatment of upper respiratory infections are based upon the cause. Generally, viral infections are treated symptomatically with over-the-counter (OTC) medication and home remedies. - Syphilis Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. There are three stages of syphilis with distinct symptoms. During the first stage of syphilis, a painless ulcer or sore, known as a chancre, forms. Irreversible organ damage and death can occur during the late stage of syphilis if left untreated.
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Common Cold The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and sometimes a fever. -
Strep Throat Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. Signs and symptoms of strep throat include headache, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and fever. Strep throat symptoms in infants and children are different than in adults. Strep throat is contagious and is generally passed from person to person. Treatment for strep throat symptoms includes home remedies and OTC medication; however, the only cure for strep throat is antibiotics. -
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in women include gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and HPV infection (genital warts). Learn about types, symptoms, and treatment. -
Scarlet Fever Scarlet fever (scarlatina) is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Scarlet fever symptoms include fever, rash with a sandpaper-like texture, and sore throat. Oral penicillin is the standard treatment for scarlet fever. -
Streptococcal Infections Group A streptococcal infections are caused by group A Streptococcus, a bacteria that causes a variety of health problems, including strep throat, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas, and scarlet fever. There are more than 10 million group A strep infections each year. -
Clostridium Difficile Colitis Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, and is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon. C. difficile spores are found frequently in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, and nurseries for newborn infants. -
What Is Yaws? Yaws is an infectious disease that mainly occurs in the tropical areas of South and Central America, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pertenue, which causes lesions that look like bumps on the skin of the feet, hands, face, and genital area. Yaws is treated with penicillin or another antibiotic. -
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection is the most common type of infection acquired by patients while hospitalized. VRE are enterococci that have become resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. There are only a few antibiotics that are able to treat VRE infections. However, newer antibiotics are being developed. -
Meningococcal Disease (Meningococcemia) Meningococcal disease (meningococcemia) is a bloodstream infection caused by Neisseria meningitides. Meningococcemia symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and body aches. Meningococcemia is treated with intravenous antibiotics. There is an effective and safe vaccine to protect against most serogroups of meningococcus that cause meningococcemia. -
Antibiotic Resistance Antibiotics are medications used to kill or slow the growth of bacteria and some fungi. The definition of antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to change (mutate) and grow in the presence of a drug (an antibiotic) that would normally slow its growth or kill it. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi become harder to treat. Antibiotic-resistant infections can lead to longer hospital stays, higher treatment costs, and more deaths. -
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy (STDs) When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.
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