Here is the detailed information for:
💉 Benzathine Benzylpenicillin Powder for Injection – 6,00,000 Units
🧪 Nature / Drug Class
- Long-acting intramuscular penicillin
- Class: β-lactam antibiotic, natural penicillin
- Bactericidal against susceptible Gram-positive organisms
🩺 Purpose / Indications
Used primarily for infections requiring prolonged low-dose penicillin exposure and prevention of recurrence:
- Rheumatic fever prophylaxis (especially in children)
- Streptococcal pharyngitis / tonsillitis
- Syphilis (including early, latent, and congenital)
- Yaws, Bejel, and Pinta (tropical infections)
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Impetigo and cellulitis in specific cases
⚙️ Advantages
✔️ Single-dose or less frequent dosing due to prolonged action
✔️ Ensures steady low-level penicillin in blood for 2–4 weeks
✔️ Useful in mass treatment programs for rheumatic fever prevention
✔️ Cost-effective and high compliance with IM route
💊 Dosage & Administration
- Adults: Typically 1.2 million units IM per dose
- Children (under 27 kg): 6,00,000 units IM every 3–4 weeks (for prophylaxis)
- Route: Deep intramuscular (IM) injection only
- Not for IV use due to risk of cardiopulmonary arrest
Reconstitution:
- Reconstitute with sterile water for injection (usually 2 mL)
- Shake well to form a suspension
📦 Common Packaging
- Vial containing 6 lac units (600,000 IU) sterile powder
- Supplied with or without sterile water for injection
⚠️ Patient Advice / Precautions
- Check allergy history: Contraindicated in penicillin hypersensitivity
- Do not inject IV – serious adverse effects (incl. death)
- Inject deeply into gluteal muscle to reduce local irritation
- Use cautiously in renal impairment and pregnancy (Category B)
💢 Common Side Effects
- Local pain, swelling, or induration at injection site
- Allergic reactions: rash, urticaria, anaphylaxis
- Serum sickness–like syndrome in some patients
- Rare: Neurovascular damage if improper injection technique is used
🧊 Storage
- Store below 25°C
- Protect from light and moisture
- Use reconstituted suspension immediately
- Do not freeze