Benzylpenicillin (SCBU Formulary)
TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland
Warning
What's new / Latest updates
05/06/25:
- Preparation details amended:
- From: Add 4·6mL of sterile water to each 600mg vial, as there is a displacement value of 0·4mL. This gives a solution containing 120mg/mL (600mg/5mL) benzylpenicillin.
- To: Add 5·6mL of sterile water to each 600mg vial, as there is a displacement value of 0·4mL. This gives a solution containing 100mg/mL (600mg/6mL) benzylpenicillin.
- Compatibility table removed and replaced with a link to the Injectable Medicines Guide.
Audience
- North NHS Highland only
- Secondary care only: For SCBU use only
- Children only
Indication
- Bacterial infection: pneumococcal, meningococcal, streptococcal, gonococcal.
- For use up to 28 days of age
|
Drug |
Dose | Doses/day | Route |
| benzylpenicillin (Crystapen) |
50mg/kg For doses > 50mg/kg, see preparation notes below. |
One dose every 12 hours in babies up to 6 days old. One dose every 8 hours in babies 7 to 28 days old. The dose should be reduced in renal failure. |
Slow IV bolus over 5 minutes. Some infants have developed severe local reactions to IM injections, so IV treatment is preferable. |
Supply
Each ampoule contains 600mg of benzylpenicillin.
Preparation
Add 5·6mL of sterile water to each 600mg vial, as there is a displacement value of 0·4mL. This gives a solution containing 100mg/mL (600mg/6mL) benzylpenicillin.
For doses greater than 50mg/kg, further dilute to a concentration of 60mg/mL with 5mL sodium chloride 0.9% or glucose 5% and give over 15 minutes.
IV compatibilities / incompatibilities
- Injectable Medicines Guide - Display - Benzylpenicillin sodium - Intravenous - Version 6 - IVGuideDisplayMain.asp (log in required).
- Or access via 'Injectable Medicines Guide' tile on the NHS Highland Intranet: Clinical Applications