Here is the detailed profile for:
💉 Benzylpenicillin Powder for Injection – 5,00,000 Units
🧪 Nature / Drug Class
- Natural penicillin (Penicillin G)
- Short-acting beta-lactam antibiotic
- Bactericidal action – inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis
🩺 Purpose / Indications
Used to treat serious infections caused by susceptible organisms:
- Bacterial meningitis
- Severe pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Anthrax
- Syphilis
- Actinomycosis
- Diphtheria
- Endocarditis
- Intrapartum GBS prophylaxis
⚙️ Advantages
✔️ Broad efficacy against gram-positive bacteria
✔️ Quick onset due to IV/IM administration
✔️ Essential antibiotic in neonatal and obstetric care
✔️ Recommended in WHO essential medicines list
💊 Dosage & Administration
- Route: IV (preferred) or IM
- Adults: 1.2 to 2.4 million units every 4–6 hours IV
- Children: 25,000 to 50,000 units/kg every 4–6 hours
- Neonates: Adjusted by age/weight
Reconstitution:
- Reconstitute with sterile water for injection or sodium chloride 0.9%
- Concentration depends on desired route and dose
📦 Common Packaging
- Glass vial with 5 lac (500,000) units of powder
- Single-use vial
⚠️ Patient Advice / Precautions
- Do NOT mix with aminoglycosides in same syringe
- Test for penicillin allergy before administration
- Caution in renal impairment – monitor renal function
- Can cause Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction in syphilis patients
💢 Common Side Effects
- Local pain/swelling at injection site
- Allergic reactions: rash, urticaria
- Severe: Anaphylaxis, seizure (high IV doses), hemolytic anemia
- Rare: Neurotoxicity with high doses or renal impairment
🧊 Storage
- Store below 25°C
- Protect from moisture and light
- Reconstituted solution should be used immediately or as per manufacturer’s instructions