Bicillin L-A (Benzathine Benzylpenicillin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Bicillin L-A Used For?
Bicillin L-A is an antibiotic injection that contains benzathine benzylpenicillin. It’s used to treat various bacterial infections and prevent certain complications.
Primary Uses
Bicillin L-A treats mild-to-moderate upper respiratory tract infections caused by streptococci bacteria and sexually transmitted infections including syphilis, yaws, bejel, and pinta. It’s also used to prevent the recurrence of rheumatic fever and chorea, and complications following rheumatic heart disease and severe kidney disease.
How It Works
Benzathine benzylpenicillin is an antibiotic that fights bacterial infections by interfering with bacterial cell wall formation.
How to Take Bicillin L-A
Bicillin L-A is given as an injection by a healthcare professional. You cannot take this medication yourself at home.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine the right dose and treatment length based on your condition and age. The injection is given deep into the muscle of your buttock. For infants and children, it may be given in the middle front of the thigh. If multiple injections are needed, they won’t be given in exactly the same spot each time.
Important: This medication is only given under close medical supervision in a healthcare setting.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or abnormally happy
- Tremors
- Sleepiness, tiredness, or snoring
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Excessive or abnormal sweating
- Muscle or joint pain
- Pain or swelling along bones
- Worsening of arthritis
- Oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth)
- Vaginal thrush (sore and itchy vagina with discharge)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Stomach cramps
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Frequent infections with fever, chills, sore throat
- Swollen glands in neck, armpit, or groin
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Blood in stool
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms and legs
- Injection site reactions
- Impotence or persistent painful erection
- Blurred vision or blindness
- Loss of bladder control
- Severe blisters and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose, or genitals
- Allergic reactions with breathing difficulty or swelling
- Severe agitation, confusion, hallucinations
- Heart attack symptoms
- Yellowing of eyes or skin
- Stroke symptoms
- Seizures or convulsions
- Severe diarrhea with blood and mucus
- Kidney disease symptoms
- Skin color changes especially on fingers or toes
- Coma
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings to be aware of before receiving Bicillin L-A.
Who Should Not Take Bicillin L-A
Do not receive Bicillin L-A if you’re allergic to benzathine benzylpenicillin, any ingredients including lecithin from soya bean and benzoates, or if you’ve had previous allergic reactions to any penicillin medicines.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have asthma, allergies, kidney problems, are on a sodium-restricted diet, have had severe skin reactions or diarrhea following antibiotic use, or take any other medicines. The medication contains 2.59 mg or 5.17 mg of sodium per injection depending on strength.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, as Bicillin L-A may pass into breast milk.
Elderly Patients: Patients over 65 years with kidney problems may have increased risk of toxic reactions and require careful monitoring.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Bicillin L-A works.
- Tetracyclines (antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline)
- Probenecid (used for gout treatment and may be used in HIV treatment)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities that require alertness after receiving Bicillin L-A.
Alcohol
No specific information is available about alcohol interactions with Bicillin L-A.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how Bicillin L-A affects you. It may cause dizziness or visual disturbances in some people.
Storage
Bicillin L-A is stored by healthcare professionals in pharmacies, clinics, or hospital wards under proper conditions. Any leftover medication will be disposed of by hospital or clinic staff.
Overdose Information
Since Bicillin L-A is given under close medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. If you experience any concerning side effects, tell your doctor or nurse immediately. If you’re concerned about receiving too much medication, contact your healthcare provider or call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should see improvement in your infection symptoms within a few days. If symptoms don’t improve or get worse within a few days, contact your doctor immediately.
No, Bicillin L-A is an antibiotic and is not addictive. It works by fighting bacterial infections.
You should not take any other medicines, whether prescription or over-the-counter, without first telling your doctor or consulting a pharmacist, as some medications may interfere with Bicillin L-A.
For mild side effects like nausea or headache, speak to your doctor if they worry you. For serious side effects like difficulty breathing, severe skin reactions, or heart problems, tell your doctor immediately or go to the emergency department.
No, you should not receive Bicillin L-A if you’ve had previous allergic reactions to any penicillin medicines. Always inform your healthcare provider about any drug allergies.
Bicillin L-A is injected deep into the muscle of your buttock. For infants and children, it may be given in the middle front of the thigh. If multiple injections are needed, they won’t be given in the same spot each time.
Always remind any doctor, nurse, dentist, or pharmacist treating you that you are receiving Bicillin L-A, as this information is important for your care.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.