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

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:

• asthma or a history of allergies;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• 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 (Bicillin L-A)?

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.

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