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Bicillin C-R (Penicillin G Benzathine)
Penicillin G inhibits bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan biosynthesis, rendering the cell wall osmotically unstable.
Penicillin G benzathine is a beta-lactam antibiotic indicated for treatment of penicillin-susceptible infections including upper-respiratory tract infections and venereal infections, as well as prophylaxis of rheumatic fever. Its extremely low solubility results in prolonged serum levels maintained for 4-14 days depending on dose, with approximately 60% serum protein binding. Primary contraindication is prior hypersensitivity to penicillins; concurrent use with tetracyclines should be avoided due to antagonistic effects. The drug remains effective for susceptible infections when guided by bacteriological studies and clinical response.
At a glance
| Generic name | Penicillin G Benzathine |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Pfizer |
| Drug class | Beta-lactam antibiotic |
| Target | Cell-wall peptidoglycan biosynthesis |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1952 |
Mechanism of action
Penicillin G exerts a bactericidal action against penicillin-susceptible microorganisms during the stage of active multiplication. It acts through the inhibition of biosynthesis of cell-wall peptidoglycan, rendering the cell wall osmotically unstable. The drug is not active against penicillinase-producing bacteria or organisms resistant to beta-lactams due to alterations in penicillin-binding proteins.
Approved indications
- Erysipelas
- Pneumococcal pneumonia
- Pneumonia due to Streptococcus
- Scarlet fever
- Streptococcal infectious disease
- Streptococcus pyogenes infection
- Syphilis excluding neurosyphilis
Common side effects
- Injection site pain
- Skin eruptions (maculopapular to exfoliative dermatitis)
- Urticaria
- Fever
- Chills
- Edema
- Arthralgia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Injection site inflammation
Serious adverse events
- Anaphylaxis including shock and death
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
- Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
- Cardiac arrest
- Myocardial infarction (Kounis syndrome)
- Pseudomembranous colitis
- Transverse myelitis
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Pulmonary embolism
Drug interactions
- Tetracycline
- Probenecid
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Bicillin C-R CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Bicillin C-R updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Pfizer portfolio CI