Preparation Instructions for Extencilline 2.4MU
Warning
To reduce the pain experienced by patients receiving benzathine and procaine penicillin injections, 1% lidocaine (lignocaine) can be used as an alternative diluent to water for injections (unlicensed indication).
Benzathine Dose: 2.4 Mega units IM weekly for up to 3 weeks
Presentation: Powder for suspension for injection
Reconstitute the vial with 8 ml of 1% lidocaine hydrochloride BP solution. Split the resultant suspension into two equal volumes.
The suspension should be administered by deep intramuscular injection in two different sites.
Contraindications
- Allergy to penicillin or lignocaine
- Concomitant anticoagulant therapy
- Bleeding diathesis (e.g. Haemophilia)
Precautions
For patients with penicillin allergy, cross reactivity to other beta-lactams such as cephalosporins should be taken into account.