benzylpenicillin sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Beta-lactam penicillin antibiotic
Administration
Given into a vein or muscle by a healthcare professional
Preparation
Powder that must be freshly reconstituted before use
Important distinction
Not interchangeable with benzathine or procaine benzylpenicillin injections
What is benzylpenicillin sodium used for?
Licensed uses include infections caused by organisms expected or shown to be sensitive to benzylpenicillin.
Wound, skin, soft-tissue, ear, nose, throat, sinus and respiratory infections
Serious infections including septicaemia, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, meningitis and suspected meningococcal disease
Gas gangrene, tetanus, actinomycosis, anthrax, leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, listeriosis and severe Lyme disease
Complications of gonorrhoea and syphilis, including congenital syphilis and neurosyphilis
Diphtheria, brain abscess and pasteurellosis
Prevention of early-onset neonatal group B streptococcal infection during labour
How does benzylpenicillin sodium work?
It disrupts bacterial cell-wall production and kills susceptible bacteria while they are growing. Bacteria with altered targets or beta-lactamase enzymes may be resistant.
benzylpenicillin sodium preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 600 mg, 1200 mg
How to take benzylpenicillin sodium
A healthcare professional dissolves the powder immediately before use and gives it into a vein or muscle. Alternate sites should be used for repeated intramuscular injections.
Do not prepare or inject it yourself unless specifically trained and authorised.
Tell the team about penicillin or other beta-lactam allergies.
Tell the team if you have kidney, liver or heart problems, or follow a sodium-restricted diet.
benzylpenicillin sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Skin rash or itching
- Fever or a serum-sickness-like hypersensitivity reaction
- A Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction when treating syphilis or neurosyphilis
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis or angioedema, causing breathing difficulty, collapse or facial and throat swelling
- Severe blistering, peeling or widespread inflammatory skin reactions
- Severe or persistent diarrhoea associated with antibiotic-related colitis
- Seizures, encephalopathy or reduced consciousness, particularly with renal impairment or excessive exposure
- Blood-cell disorders, which may cause unexplained bruising, pallor or recurrent infection
- Interstitial nephritis, which may cause reduced urine output or other evidence of kidney injury
benzylpenicillin sodium in pregnancy
Extensive pregnancy experience has not shown increased malformations or direct fetal harm. Benzylpenicillin sodium also has a specialist role during labour to prevent early-onset group B streptococcal infection. Decisions should be made by the maternity or prescribing team.
benzylpenicillin sodium while breastfeeding
It can generally be used while breastfeeding a full-term, healthy infant. Milk levels are negligible, but monitor the baby for diarrhoea, thrush, rash, breathing problems, poor feeding or unusual drowsiness. Seek specialist advice for premature or unwell infants.
benzylpenicillin sodium interactions
Check current medicines and relevant laboratory testing before treatment.
Methotrexate
Benzylpenicillin can reduce methotrexate excretion and increase toxicity risk, so review and monitoring may be required.
Probenecid
Reduces renal secretion of benzylpenicillin, raising and prolonging its blood concentration.
Laboratory tests
Penicillins may interfere with some urine glucose, Coombs, protein and bacteria-based tests. Tell the laboratory that benzylpenicillin is being given.
Common questions about benzylpenicillin sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
How is benzylpenicillin sodium given?
A healthcare professional gives the freshly prepared solution into a vein or muscle.
Can it be taken by mouth?
No. The selected UK product is a powder for injection, not an oral preparation.
Can I have it if I am allergic to penicillin?
It is contraindicated in people with penicillin hypersensitivity. Tell the clinical team about reactions to penicillins or other beta-lactams.
Can I breastfeed after receiving it?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.