Bicillin LA is usually administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting making it unlikely for an overdose to occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.
The Bicillin LA dose your doctor recommends will be based on:
- other medical conditions you have
- other medications you are taking
- how you respond to this medication
- your kidney function
- your age
In addition, the dosage of Bicillin LA is specific to the condition being treated:
- For upper airway infections, the recommended dose range for Bicillin LA is 300,000 to 1,200,000 units given once.
- For treating syphilis, the recommended dose is 2,400,000 units once.
- For “late” syphilis, 2,400,000 units is given once (1 dose) every 7 days for a total of 3 doses.
- For treating congenital syphilis, the recommended dose is 50,000 units/kg in children less than 2. For children ages 2 to 12 years of age, dose adjustment is based on adult dosage.
- For treating yaws, bejels, and pinta, the recommended dose is 1,200,000 units given once.
- For prevention of rheumatic fever, the recommended dose is 1,200,000 units once a month or 600,000 units every 2 weeks.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories – A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.
Bicillin LA falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Bicillin LA. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.
Bicillin LA is available in 1 mL, 2 mL, and 4 mL disposable syringes containing the equivalent of 600,000, 1,200,000 and 2,400,000 units respectively.
Active ingredients: penicillin G benzathine
Inactive ingredients: sodium citrate buffer, lecithin, carboxymethylcellulose, povidone, methylparaben, and propylparaben
Serious side effects have been reported with Bicillin LA. See the “Drug Precautions” section.
Common side effects of Bicillin LA include:
- an allergic reaction, with symptoms of itching, redness and warmth of skin, and swelling that may occur
- pain at the site of injection
- upset stomach
- rash
- nausea
- vomiting
This is not a complete list of Bicillin LA side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.
If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Bicillin LA at the same time.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Bicillin LA has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Bicillin LA, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of Bicillin LA. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.
Bicillin LA (generic: penicillin G benzathine) is a prescription medication used to treat bacteria that cause infections of the upper airways, heart valves, joints, skin, brain, and the genital areas. Bicillin LA belongs to a group of drugs called penicillin antibiotics, which help stop the growth of bacteria.
This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.
Common side effects of Bicillin LA include an allergic reaction, pain at the site of injection, and upset stomach.
Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Bicillin LA, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.
Serious side effects have been reported with Bicillin LA including:
- hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction). This type of reaction may be serious and possibly fatal. These reactions are more likely to occur in those with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start to develop signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction, which include the following:
- chest pain
- swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- fainting
- rash
- diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics, and it usually ends when the antibacterial is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as 2 or more months after having taken their last dose of the antibacterial. If diarrhea is severe or lasts more than 2 or 3 days, contact your doctor, as this may be a sign of an infection of the bowels.
- superinfection. Bicillin LA should not be used for extended periods. Prolonged use can lead to the growth of dangerous organisms that are resistant or unaffected by Bicillin LA. Take this medication for the duration prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take Bicillin LA if you:
- are allergic to Bicillin LA or any of its ingredients
WARNING: NOT FOR INTRAVENOUS USE. DO NOT INJECT INTRAVENOUSLY OR ADMIX WITH OTHER INTRAVENOUS SOLUTIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF INADVERTENT INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF PENICILLIN G BENZATHINE, WHICH HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH CARDIORESPIRATORY ARREST AND DEATH.
- Store in a refrigerator at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F).
- Keep from freezing.
- Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Before taking Bicillin LA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:
- are allergic to Bicillin LA or any of its ingredients
- are allergic to similar antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins)
- have other allergies
- have asthma
- have kidney problems
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim)
- probenecid (Probalan, Benemid)
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
- birth control pills
This is not a complete list of Bicillin LA drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Bicillin LA is a prescription medication used to treat bacteria that cause infections of the upper airways, heart valves, joints, skin, brain, and infections that can cause venereal diseases.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.