Generic Name
Generic Name
Generic Name
penicillin G
benzathine
Trade Name
Bicillin L-A
Classification
Penicillin-Anti-
infective
Mechanism of
Action
Inhibits biosynthesis
of cell-wall
mucopeptide; kills
penicillin-
susceptible bacteria
during
activemultiplication
stage
Indications and
dosages
>Upper respiratory
infections
Adults:
1.2 million units
I.M. as a single dose
Ch ildren weighing 27 kg (60) or more:
900,000 units I.M. as a single dose
Infants and children weighing less than 27 kg (60 lb):
300,000 to 600,000 units I.M. as a singledose>Early syphilis (primary, secondary, or latent)
Adults:
2.4 million units I.M. as a single dose
Children:
50,000 units/kg I.M. as a single dose, increased as needed up to adult dosage>Congenital syphilis
Children younger than age 2:
50,000 units/kg I.M. as a single dose>Late (tertiary) syphilis and neurosyphilis
Adults:
2.4 million units I.M. q week for up to 3 weeks, after aqueous penicillin G or procaine penicillin therapy>Gummas and cardiovascular syphilis
Adults:
2.4 million units I.M. q week for 3 weeks>Yaws, bejel, and pinta
Adults:
1.2 million units I.M. as a single dose>Prophylaxis of rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis
Adults:
After acute attack, 1.2 million units I.M. q month or 600,000 units q 2 weeks
Adverse Reactions
CNS:
headache, lethargy, hallucinations, anxiety, neuropathy, fatigue, nervousness, tremors,euphoria, asthenia, Hoigne's syndrome,
cerebrovascular accident, seizures, coma
CV:
hypotension, pulmonary hypertension, vasodilation, vasovagal reaction, syncope, palpitations, tachycardia,
cardiac arrest, pulmonary embolism
EENT:
blurred vision, vision loss, laryngeal edema
GI:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, epigastric distress, abdominal pain, colitis, blood in stool,glossitis,
pseudomembranous colitis
GU:
hematuria, proteinuria, urogenic bladder, erectile dysfunction, priapism, nephropathy,
renalfailure
Metabolic:
hypernatremia,
hyperkalemia
Respiratory:
dyspnea, hypoxia,
apnea, pulmonary embolism
Skin:
rash, urticaria, sweating
Other:
fever, superinfection, injection site reactions and pain, Jarisch-Hersheimer reaction,
anaphylaxis, serum sickness
Interactions
Aspirin, probenecid:
increased penicillin blood level
Erythromycins , tetracyclines:
Gonorrhea
Adult and child >12 yr: IM 4.8 million units in two injections given 30 min after
probenecid 1 g
Pneumococcal pneumonia
Renal dose
CCr 10-30 ml/min give q8-12h; CCr < 10 ml/min give q12-18h
GI: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased AST, ALT, abdominal pain, glossitis,
colitis
Kidneys, unchanged;
Excretion
breast milk
Half-life 1/2 - 1 hr
Pharmacodynamics
Onset Slow
Peak 1- 4 hr
Duration 15 hr
Interactions:
Individual drugs
Drug classifications
Herb/drug
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assessment
Assess patient for previous sensitivity reaction to penicillins or
cephalosporins; cross-sensitivity between penicillins and cephalosporins is
common
Obtain C&S before beginning drug therapy to identify if correct treatment has
been initiated
Assess for allergic reactions: rash, urticaria, pruritis, chills, fever, joint pain;
angioedema may occur a few days after therapy begins; epinephrine,
resuscitation equipment should be available for anaphylactic reaction
Monitor blood studies: CBC, Hct, bilirubin, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, AST,
ALT, Coombs' test monthly if patient is on long-term therapy
Nursing diagnoses
Noncompliance (teaching)
Implementation
Do not give IV
Give deeply in large muscle mass
Reconstitute with 0.9% NaCl, sterile water for inj, D5W; refrigerate unused
portion
Patient/family education
Teach patient to report sore throat, bruising, bleeding, joint pain; may
indicate blood dyscrasias (rare)
Instruct patient to take all medication prescribed for the length of time
ordered
Advise patient to notify prescriber of diarrhea with blood or pus, which may
indicate pseudomembranous colitis