BENZYLPENICILLIN PROCAINE = PENICILLIN G PROCAINE injectable

Last updated: June 2025

• Long-acting penicillin antibacterial (12 to 24 hours)

Indications

• Diphtheria, when oral treatment is not possible
• Congenital syphilis, if the neonate has clinical signs of syphilis or the mother did not receive adequate treatment for syphilis during pregnancy

Forms and strengths, route of administration

• Powder for injection in vials of:
  • 0.6 MIU (600 mg) vial, to be dissolved with the diluent supplied by the manufacturer (4 ml-ampoule of water for injection)
  • 1.2 MIU (1.2 g) vial, to be dissolved with the diluent supplied by the manufacturer (5 ml-ampoule of water for injection)
• For IM injection only. NEVER ADMINISTER BY IV INJECTION OR INFUSION.

Dosage

Diphtheria

• Child: 50 000 IU/kg (= 50 mg/kg) once daily (max. 1.2 MIU = or 1.2 g daily)
• Adult: 1.2 MIU (= 1.2 g) once daily 

Congenital syphilis

• Neonate: 50 000 IU/kg (= 50 mg/kg) once daily 

Duration

• Diphtheria: change to an oral treatment as soon as the patient can swallow, to complete 14 days of treatment
• Congenital syphilis: 10 days

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to patients allergic to penicillin and/or procaine.
• Administer with caution to patients allergic to cephalosporins (cross-sensitivity may occur) or with renal impairment.
• May cause:
  • gastrointestinal disturbances;
  • allergic reactions sometimes severe. In the event of allergic reactions, stop treatment immediately.
• Ensure that the needle does not accidentally enter a vessel (risk of serious neurovascular damage).
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: no contra-indication

Remarks

• Also comes in 1 MIU, and 3 MIU and 4 MIU vials of powder for injection.
• Do not confuse procaine benzylpenicillin with short-acting benzylpenicillin (penicillin G), administered several times per day by IV route.
• Do not mix with other drugs in the same syringe.

Storage