Penicillin G Benzathine and Penicillin G Procaine Injection

Penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection should never be given intravenously (into a vein), because this may cause serious or life-threatening side effects or death.

Penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection is used to treat and prevent certain infections caused by bacteria. Penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection should not be used to treat sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or early in the treatment of certain serious infections. Penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection is in a class of medications called penicillins. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections.

Antibiotics such as penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection comes as a suspension (liquid) in a prefilled syringe to inject into the muscles of the buttocks or thigh by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. Penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection may be given as a single dose or divided into 2 doses given 2 days apart. In some cases, you may need to receive additional doses spaced 2 to 3 days apart.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

If your doctor has told you that you will need additional doses of penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection, make sure to keep all appointments to receive your doses on schedule even if you are feeling better. If you stop using penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before receiving penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection; penicillin antibiotics; cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefoxitin, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); procaine; or any other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if a medication you are allergic to belongs to one of these groups of medications. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while receiving penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, allergies, hay fever, hives, or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection, call your doctor.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

If you miss an appointment to receive penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection, call your doctor as soon as possible.

Penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• pain, swelling, lump, bleeding, or bruising in the area where the medication was injected

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• rash
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• sore throat
• chills
• fever
• headache
• muscle or joint pain
• weakness
• fast heartbeat
• severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) with or without fever and stomach cramps that may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment
• sudden onset of lower back pain, muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling
• blue or black skin discoloration in the area where the medication was injected
• skin blistering, peeling, or shedding in the area where the medication was injected
• numbness of the arm or leg in which the medication was injected
• severe agitation, confusion, seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist, or being fearful of dying

Penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• twitching
• seizures

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Bicillin CR^®
• Bicillin CR^® 900/300