Usual dosage range Adult:
I.M.: 1.2-2.4 million units as a single dose
Group A streptococcal upper respiratory infection: 1.2 million units as a single dose
Secondary prevention of glomerulonephritis: 1.2 million units every 4 weeks or 600,000 units twice monthly
Secondary prevention of rheumatic fever: 1.2 million units every 3-4 weeks or 600,000 units twice monthly
Syphilis (CDC, 2010):
Primary, Secondary, Early Latent (<1 year duration): 2.4 million units as a single dose in 2 injection sites
Late Latent, Latent with unknown duration: 2.4 million units in 2 injection sites once weekly for 3 doses
Neurosyphilis: Not indicated as single-drug therapy, but may be given once weekly for 3 weeks following I.V. treatment; refer to Penicillin G Parenteral/Aqueous monograph for dosing
Dosing: Pediatric
Usual dosage range: I.M.: 25,000-50,000 units/kg as a single dose (maximum: 2.4 million units)
Congenital syphilis (asymptomatic): I.M.: Neonates >1200 g: 50,000 units/kg as a single dose
Group A streptococcal upper respiratory infection: I.M.: Infants and Children:
Primary prevention of rheumatic fever (Gerber, 2009): ≤27 kg: 600,000 units as a single dose; >27 kg: 1.2 million units as a single dose
Secondary prevention of rheumatic fever (Gerber, 2009): ≤27 kg: 600,000 units every 3-4 weeks; >27 kg: 1.2 million units every 3-4 weeks
Syphilis (CDC, 2010): I.M.:
Primary, Secondary, Early Latent (<1 year duration): Infants and Children: 50,000 units/kg as a single injection (maximum: 2.4 million units)
Late Latent, Latent with unknown duration: Children: 50,000 units/kg every week for 3 doses (maximum: 2.4 million units/dose)
| Brand Name | Manufacturer Name | Distributor | Drug Strength | Packaging | Formulation | Formulation Strength | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzathine Penicillin | Alembic Products Ltd | Europa Healthcare Ltd. | 2.4 M.U | 100 | Injection | per vial | KES POR |
| Benzathine Penicillin | Biodeal Laboratories Ltd. | Biodeal Laboratories Ltd. | 2.4 M.U | 1 | Injection | per vial | KES 30.00 |
| Dawadur 2.4 Mega | Dawa Limited | Dawa Limited | 2.4 M.U | 1 | Injection | per vial | KES 25.00 |
| Debenzacin | Laboratory & Allied Ltd. | Laboratory & Allied Ltd | 2.4 M.U | 1 | Injection | per vial | KES 26.00 |
| Longacillin 2.4 M.U | Macs Pharmaceuticals | Mac?s Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 2.4 M.U | 1 | Injection | per vial | KES 20.00 |
| Neumicin | Flamingo Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | Harley's Limited | 2.4 M.U | 1 | Injection | per vial | KES 25.00 |
| Benzathine Penicillin | |
|---|---|
| Mode Of Action | Inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell wall, causing cell death, hence bactericidal. required. |
| Drug Indication | See under the dosage |
| Precautions | For deep IM administration only; do not administer IV, SC, or IT. Inadvertent IV administration associated with cardiorespiratory arrest and death. Do not inject near nerve or artery. |
| Contra-Indications | Hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin and / or cephalosporins, parenteral solutions should not be injected into or near an artery or nerve. |
| Side Effects | |
| Dosage | Streptococcal (Group A) upper respiratory infections (e.g, pharyngitis): Adults: a single injection of 1,200,000 units; older children: a single injection of 900,000 units; infants and children: 300,000 to 600,000 units. Syphilis (less than 1 yr): 2.4 m.u weekly for 2 weeks. Syphilis (more than 1 yr): 4 m.u weekly for 4-5 weeks. Yaws, bejel, and pinta: 1,200,000 units (1 injection). Prophylaxis for rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis following an acute attack: Penicillin G Benzathine (parenteral) may be given in doses of 1,200,000 units once a month or 600,000 units every 2 weeks. |
| Pregnancy Category | Category B: |
| Pregnancy Category Description | Drugs which have been taken by only a small number of pregnant women and women of child-bearing age with no any established rise in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect detrimental effects on the foetus having been noted. Categorized further into: |
| Drug Category | DRUGS ACTING ON INFECTIONS |
| Drug Sub-Category | Penicillins |