Procaine Penicillin Injection: Uses & Side Effects

What is this medication?

PENICILLIN G BENZATHINE; PENICILLIN G PROCAINE (pen i SILL in G BEN za thine; pen i SILL in G proh KEYN) is a penicillin antibiotic. It treats some infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for colds, the flu, or other viruses.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Bicillin C-R

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What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• G6PD deficiency
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• lung or breathing disease (asthma, COPD)
• an unusual or allergic reaction to penicillin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This drug is injected into a muscle. It is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this drug in children. While it may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This drug is not for regular use.

What may interact with this medication?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• acetaminophen
• birth control pills
• certain antibiotics like dapsone, nitrofurantoin, aminosalicylic acid, sulfonamides, tetracycline
• certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, valproic acid
• chloroquine
• cyclophosphamide
• flutamide
• hydroxyurea
• ifosfamide
• local anesthetics like benzocaine, lidocaine, tetracaine
• metoclopramide
• nitrates
• primaquine
• probenecid
• rasburicase
• sulfasalazine
• quinine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your health care provider if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

If you have diabetes, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your health care provider.

Birth control may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your health care provider about using an extra method of birth control.

If you notice a blue or gray discoloration of the mouth, lips, or nail beds, stop taking this medicine and contact your health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• bloody or watery diarrhea
• fever
• methemoglobinemia (trouble breathing; fast, irregular heartbeat; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; headache; pale, gray, or blue colored mouth, nails or skin; unusually weak or tired)
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• nausea
• pain, redness or irritation at the site where injected
• vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.