Benzathine Benzylpenicillin
Also known as benzathine penicillin, benzathine benzylpenicillin tetrahydrate, penicillin G benzathine
Trade name
Bicillin L-A
Presentation and Preparation
600 000 units (450 mg)/1.17 mL of benzathine benzylpenicillin. Equivalent to 517 mg/1.17 mL of benzathine benzylpenicillin tetrahydrate.
1 200 000 units (900 mg)/2.3 mL of benzathine benzylpenicillin. Equivalent to 1016.6 mg/2.3 mL of benzathine benzylpenicillin tetrahydrate.
To calculate part doses, use a concentration of 530 400 units/mL of benzathine benzylpenicillin.
IV administration
Never administer intravenously.
Other routes of administration
IM: Suitable. Remove from refrigerator, allow syringe to come to room temperature. Roll between hands before injecting. Apply firm pressure at the injection site for at least 10 seconds immediately prior to administration. Give undiluted by deep IM injection at a slow, steady rate over 2 to 3 minutes into the mid-lateral aspect of the thigh (preferred in neonates, infants and small children) or upper outer quadrant of the buttock.
SC: Not recommended.
Some centres use lidocaine as a diluent, and some overseas products are formulated with lidocaine; follow local guidelines.
Additional information
The needle may become blocked if the injection is not made at a slow, steady rate due to the high concentration of suspended material in the product.
Do not inject near an artery or nerve.
Refrigerate, do not freeze.
Suspension should be viscous and white.
Prefilled syringe is stable for 2 months if stored at room temperature.
Contains soya bean products (lecithin).