Benzathine Penicillin

Benzathine Penicillin is a long-acting penicillin antibiotic that is effective against gram-positive bacteria. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for their survival.

It is commonly used to treat streptococcal throat infections, syphilis, and to prevent rheumatic fever. It is administered as an intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional.

• Group-A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections
• Syphilis
• Prevention of rheumatic fever
• Acute otitis media

Benzathine benzylpenicillin has the same antimicrobial action as benzylpenicillin which exerts its bactericidal action on growing and dividing bacteria by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. IM administration results in a prolonged effect, but because of its relatively low blood concentrations, its use should be restricted to microorganisms that are highly susceptible to it.

Benzathine Penicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins and inactivating transpeptidase enzymes required for cell wall formation.

Adult Dosage:

• Group-A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections: 600,000 units as a single IM dose
• Prevention of rheumatic fever: 1.2 million units monthly IM injection
• Acute otitis media: 600,000 units as a single injection
• Early syphilis: 2.4 million units as a single dose
• Late syphilis: 2.4 million units weekly for 3 successive weeks
• Neurosyphilis: IV benzylpenicillin 2-4 million units every 4 hours for 10 days, followed by benzathine penicillin 2.4 million units weekly for 3 weeks

Pediatric Dosage:

• Newborns and infants: 50,000 units/kg as a single dose
• Children >60 lb: 900,000 units as a single dose

Administered by healthcare professionals via intramuscular injection only. Do not self-administer.

If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to arrange your next injection. Do not self-administer.

• Injection site pain, swelling, redness
• Rash
• Allergic reactions
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

• Inform your doctor if allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics
• Complete the full course - do not stop even if you feel better
• Stop and inform your doctor immediately if you develop allergic reactions (rash, swelling of face/throat/tongue, breathing difficulties)
• Ischaemic reactions may occur at injection site

• Hypersensitivity to penicillins or cephalosporins

• Probenecid: Prolongs half-life of benzathine benzylpenicillin
• Bacteriostatic drugs (chloramphenicol, tetracyclines): May interfere with bactericidal action
• Anticoagulants: Effects may be altered

[SAFE] Consuming alcohol with Benzathine Penicillin does not cause any harmful side effects.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Benzathine Penicillin is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Benzathine Penicillin is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.

Newborns and infants: 50,000 units/kg as a single dose; Children >60 lb: 900,000 units as a single dose.

Elderly patients may require dose adjustment due to decreased renal function.

[CAUTION] Use with caution in kidney disease. Dose adjustment may be needed.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Limited information available on use in liver disease.

Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and electrolyte imbalance. Consult a doctor if symptoms occur.

Store below 30°C, away from light and moisture.

Benzathine Penicillin