Benzathine penicillin and procaine penicillin

Benzathine penicillin and procaine penicillin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body.

Benzathine penicillin and procaine penicillin is used to treat many different types of severe infections, including strep and staph infections, diphtheria, meningitis, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Benzathine penicillin and procaine penicillin is also used to prevent infections of the heart valves in people with certain heart conditions who need to have dental work or surgery.

Benzathine penicillin and procaine penicillin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to penicillin. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, Lorabid, Omnicef, Spectracef, and others.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• asthma or a history of allergies;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• heart disease.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Benzathine penicillin and procaine penicillin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:

Moderately severe to severe infections due to susceptible group A streptococci: 2,400,000 units IM once

Alternatively, one-half the total dose may be given on days 1 and 3. This regimen should be used only when the patient's cooperation can be assured.

Usual Adult Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection:

Moderately severe to severe infections due to susceptible group A streptococci: 2,400,000 units IM once

Alternatively, one-half the total dose may be given on days 1 and 3. This regimen should be used only when the patient's cooperation can be assured.

Usual Adult Dose for Streptococcal Infection:

Erysipelas, scarlet fever:
Moderately severe to severe infections due to susceptible group A streptococci: 2,400,000 units IM once

Alternatively, one-half the total dose may be given on days 1 and 3. This regimen should be used only when the patient's cooperation can be assured.

Usual Adult Dose for Otitis Media:

Moderately severe infections due to susceptible pneumococci: 1,200,000 units IM repeated every 2 to 3 days until temperature is normal for 48 hours

Other forms of penicillin may be required for severe cases.

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:

Moderately severe infections due to susceptible pneumococci: 1,200,000 units IM repeated every 2 to 3 days until temperature is normal for 48 hours

Other forms of penicillin may be required for severe cases.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:

Moderately severe to severe infections due to susceptible group A streptococci:
Less than 14 kg: 600,000 units IM once
14 to less than 27 kg: 900,000 to 1,200,000 units IM once
27 kg or more: 2,400,000 units IM once

Alternatively, one-half the total dose may be given on days 1 and 3. This regimen should be used only when the patient's cooperation can be assured.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection:

Moderately severe to severe infections due to susceptible group A streptococci:
Less than 14 kg: 600,000 units IM once
14 to less than 27 kg: 900,000 to 1,200,000 units IM once
27 kg or more: 2,400,000 units IM once

Alternatively, one-half the total dose may be given on days 1 and 3. This regimen should be used only when the patient's cooperation can be assured.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Streptococcal Infection:

Scarlet fever, erysipelas:
Moderately severe to severe infections due to susceptible group A streptococci:
Less than 14 kg: 600,000 units IM once
14 to less than 27 kg: 900,000 to 1,200,000 units IM once
27 kg or more: 2,400,000 units IM once

Alternatively, one-half the total dose may be given on days 1 and 3. This regimen should be used only when the patient's cooperation can be assured.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Otitis Media:

Moderately severe infections due to susceptible pneumococci: 600,000 units IM repeated every 2 to 3 days until temperature is normal for 48 hours

Other forms of penicillin may be required for severe cases.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia:

Moderately severe infections due to susceptible pneumococci: 600,000 units IM repeated every 2 to 3 days until temperature is normal for 48 hours

Other forms of penicillin may be required for severe cases.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Loose stools (diarrhea).

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Moderately severe infections due to susceptible pneumococci: 600,000 units IM repeated every 2 to 3 days until temperature is normal for 48 hours

Other forms of penicillin may be required for severe cases.

Data not available

Data not available

Benzathine penicillin-procaine penicillin has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of fetotoxicity or teratogenicity. Adverse effects have not been reported during human use; however, there are no controlled data in human pregnancies. Benzathine penicillin-procaine penicillin is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.