Bicillin L-A

Generic Name: penicillin G benzathine (PEN i SILL in G BEN za theen)

Brand Names: Bicillin L-A

What is Bicillin L-A (penicillin G benzathine)?

Penicillin G benzathine is a slow-onset antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body.

Penicillin G benzathine is used to treat many different types of severe infections, including strep infections, rheumatic fever, and syphilis.

Penicillin G benzathine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Bicillin L-A (penicillin G benzathine)?

You should not receive 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 Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, Keflex, and others.

Before you receive penicillin G benzathine, tell your doctor if you have asthma or a history of allergies, liver disease, kidney disease, or heart disease.

Be sure to receive all doses your doctor has prescribed. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely cleared.

After you have finished your treatment with penicillin G benzathine, your doctor may want to do tests to make sure your infection has completely cleared up.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Bicillin L-A (penicillin G benzathine)?

You should not receive 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 cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others.

To make sure you can safely receive penicillin G benzathine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  asthma or a history of allergies;

  
  


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  liver disease;

  
  


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  kidney disease; or

  
  


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  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. Penicillin G benzathine 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.

How is penicillin G benzathine given?

Penicillin G benzathine is injected into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Penicillin G benzathine must be injected slowly into a muscle of the buttock.

Penicillin G benzathine is sometimes given only once or only for a few days until your symptoms clear up. Be sure to receive all doses your doctor has prescribed. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely cleared.

After you have finished your treatment with penicillin G benzathine, your doctor may want to do tests to make sure your infection has completely cleared up.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your penicillin G benzathine injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while receiving Bicillin L-A (penicillin G benzathine)?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Bicillin L-A (penicillin G benzathine) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

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  diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

  
  


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  fever, swollen glands, rash or itching, muscle or joint pain, night sweats, general ill feeling;

  
  


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  feeling like you might pass out;

  
  


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  skin rash with bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

  
  


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  pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, weakness;

  
  


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  easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

  
  


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  urinating less than usual or not at all;

  
  


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  fast or pounding heartbeats;

  
  


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  slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing;

  
  


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  confusion, agitation, hallucinations, ringing in your ears, unusual thoughts or behavior;

  
  


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  seizure (convulsions);

  
  


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  pain, swelling, bruising, irritation, or skin changes where the injection was given; or

  
  


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  hardening of your skin in the thigh where the injection was given, trouble bending your knee.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  nausea, vomiting;

  
  


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  blurred vision;

  
  


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  dizziness; or

  
  


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  tired feeling.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Bicillin L-A (penicillin G benzathine)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

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  methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);

  
  


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  probenecid (Benemid);

  
  


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  birth control pills;

  
  


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  a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or

  
  


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  a tetracycline antibiotic, such as doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea, Periostat, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with penicillin G benzathine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Bicillin L-A resources

• Bicillin L-A Side Effects (in more detail)
• Bicillin L-A Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Bicillin L-A Drug Interactions
• Bicillin L-A Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Bicillin L-A - Add your own review/rating

• Bicillin L-A Suspension MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Bicillin L-A Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Penicillin G Benzathine/Potassium/Sodium Monograph (AHFS DI)

Compare Bicillin L-A with other medications

• Actinomycosis
• Anthrax
• Anthrax Prophylaxis
• Aspiration Pneumonia
• Bacterial Infection
• Clostridial Infection
• Congenital Syphilis
• Cutaneous Bacillus anthracis
• Deep Neck Infection
• Diphtheria
• Endocarditis
• Fusospirochetosis, Trench Mouth
• Joint Infection
• Leptospirosis
• Lyme Disease, Arthritis
• Lyme Disease, Carditis
• Lyme Disease, Erythema Chronicum Migrans
• Lyme Disease, Neurologic
• Meningitis
• Meningitis, Meningococcal
• Meningitis, Pneumococcal
• Neurosyphilis
• Otitis Media
• Pneumonia
• Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease
• Rat-bite Fever
• Rheumatic Fever Prophylaxis
• Skin Infection
• Strep Throat
• Syphilis, Early
• Syphilis, Latent
• Tertiary Syphilis
• Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about penicillin G benzathine.

See also: Bicillin L-A side effects (in more detail)