4.1. Therapeutic indications

Benzylpenicillin benzathine is indicated in adults, adolescents, children and neonates for the treatment and prophylaxis of the following infections (see section 5.1):

For the treatment of:

- erysipelas

- syphilis: early syphilis (primary and secondary)

- latent syphilis (except for neurosyphilis and presence of pathological CSF findings)

- yaws

- pinta

For the prophylaxis of:

- rheumatic fever (chorea, rheumatic carditis)

- poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis

- erysipelas

Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

The dosing recommendations depend on the severity and the type of infection, the age and the hepato-renal function of patients.

Dosage and duration of treatment

1. General therapy:

- Adults and adolescents:

- Children (> 30 kg body weight):

- Children (< 30 kg body weight):

Duration of treatment:

1.2 Million I.U.

1.2 Million I.U.

0.6 Million I.U.

Single dose

Note: In streptococcal diseases, a 10-day minimum course of treatment should be observed to avoid secondary diseases. This is generally ensured with a single injection of 0.6 Million I.U., 1.2 Million I.U. or 2.4 Million I.U..

2. Treatment of syphilis:

2.1. Primary and secondary stage

- Adults and adolescents:

- Children:

Duration of treatment:

2.4 Million I.U.

50,000 IU per kg body weight; however not more than 2.4 Million I.U.

Single dose (If clinical symptoms recur or laboratory findings remain strongly positive, treatment should be repeated.)

2.2. Late-stage syphilis (latent seropositive syphilis)

- Adults and adolescents:

- Children:

Duration of treatment:

2.4 Million I.U.

50,000 IU per kg body weight per week; however not more than 2.4 Million I.U.

Once weekly for 3 weeks

2.3. Treatment of congenital syphilis (without neurological involvement)

- Neonates and infants:

Duration of treatment:

50,000 IU per kg body weight

Single dose

3. Treatment of yaws and pinta:

- Adults and adolescents:

- Children (> 30 kg body weight):

- Children (< 30 kg body weight):

Duration of treatment:

1.2 Million I.U.

1.2 Million I.U.

0.6 Million I.U.

Single dose

4. Prophylaxis of rheumatic fever, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and erysipelas:

- Adults and adolescents:

- Children (> 30 kg body weight):

- Children (< 30 kg body weight):

1.2 Million I.U.

1.2 Million I.U.

0.6 Million I.U.

Duration of treatment:

a) without cardiac involvement:

b) transient cardiac involvement:

c) persistent cardiac involvement:

at least 5 years (or up to 21 years of age) every 3-4 weeks

at least 10 years (or up to 21 years of age) every 3-4 weeks

at least 10 years (or up to 40 years of age) every 3-4 weeks; life-long prophylaxis is sometimes necessary

Special patient groups

Patients with impaired renal function

Table 1 - Recommended dose adjustments in patients with impaired renal function.

Dosage for adults, adolescents and children based on creatine clearance

Creatinine clearance in ml/min

≥ 60

59 – 15

< 15

Proportion of the normal daily dose (%)

100

75

20 – 50

(1 – 3 Million I.U. per day maximum.)

Dosage interval

1 single administration

1 single administration

in 2 – 3 single administrations

Haemodialysis patients

Benzylpenicillin benzathine can be removed by haemodialysis. There are no data available on the influence of dialysis on the plasma levels of benzylpenicillin. The decision to treat patients on dialysis with Benzylpenicillin benzathine 1.2 Million I.U. and 2.4 Million I.U. powder for suspension for injection needs therefore to be taken on a case by case basis.

Patients with impaired hepatic function

In very severe cases of impaired hepatic and renal function, there may be a delay in the degradation and excretion of penicillin.

Method of administration

The preparation is strictly for intramuscular injection (see section 4.4).

The injection must not be administered into tissue with reduced perfusion (see section 4.4).

Benzylpenicillin benzathine 1.2 Million I.U. and 2.4 Million I.U. powder for suspension for injection should be administered by deep intramuscular injection into the upper, outer quadrant of the gluteus maximus or Hochstetter's ventrogluteal field, with the needle pointing towards the iliac crest or according to von Hochstetter's method. The puncture should be as vertical to the skin surface as possible and the injection as far away from major vessels as possible. In all events, aspiration must be performed prior to the injection. If aspiration of blood or pain occurs during the injection, it must be discontinued.

In children, the mid-lateral thigh muscles (quadriceps femoris) are recommended as an injection site. The deltoid muscle is only suitable if it is well formed; in this case, attention must be paid to the radial nerve.

In infants and young children, the peripheral area of the upper outer quadrant of the gluteal region should be used as the area for injection only in exceptional cases (e.g. widespread burns), in order to avoid sciatic nerve lesions.

In general, a needle of a diameter of at least 700μm (needle gauge: 22, 21 or 20) for intramuscular injection is preferred.

For depot preparations, a total volume of 5ml per injection site is stated as the tolerance limit. Thus, no more than 5ml of the ready-to-inject suspension should be administered at any one time into one site. Benzylpenicillin benzathine 1.2 Million I.U. powder for suspension reconstituted with at least 3.5ml of diluent may therefore be injected into a single injection site where clinically appropriate and provided no more than 4ml of diluent is used in the case of 1.2 Million I.U. vials. In the case of Benzylpenicillin benzathine 2.4 Million I.U. powder for suspension for injection reconstituted with at least 5ml of diluent, the final reconstituted volume of approximately 7ml should be divided and administered across two injection sites.

The injection should be given as slowly as possible and only with the application of low pressure. “Rubbing” after the injection should be avoided.

Severe local reactions may occur during intramuscular administration, especially in young children. If possible, taking into account the therapeutic indications and schedule regimens and weighing the benefit-risk ratio, alternative treatments such as intravenous therapy with a suitable penicillin product should be considered (see also section 4.4).

For instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.

4.3. Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to penicillins or any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

- History of a severe immediate hypersensitivity reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to another beta-lactam agent (e.g. cephalosporin, carbapenem or monobactam).

- When lidocaine solution is used as a solvent, contraindications to lidocaine must be excluded before intramuscular injection of benzylpenicillin benzathine (see section 4.4 and section 6.6).

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Benzylpenicillin benzathine should not be used in tissues with reduced perfusion.

Before initiating therapy with benzylpenicillin benzathine, a careful investigation should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins or other beta-lactam agents (see sections 4.3 and 4.8).

Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (analphylactoid) reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy. These reactions are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and in atopic individuals. If an allergic reaction occurs, benzylpenicillin benzathine must be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

Prior to treatment, a hypersensitivity test should be performed if possible. The patient should be made aware of the possible occurrence of allergic symptoms and of the need to report them.

Caution should be exercised in patients with the following conditions:

- allergic diathesis or bronchial asthma (there is an increased risk of a hypersensitivity reaction):

- renal insufficiency (for dose adjustment, see section 4.2);

- impaired hepatic function (see section 4.2).

Based on a general principle, particularly in some exposed patients, medical observation should if possible be ensured for at last half an hour after the administration of this antibiotic, as severe immediate allergic reactions may occur even after the first administration.

Beta-lactams are associated with a risk of encephalopathy (confusion, altered levels of consciousness, epilepsy or movement abnormalities), particularly in cases of over-dose or impaired renal function.

When treating syphilis, a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction may occur as a result of the bactericidal action of penicillin on pathogens. Within 2 to 12 hours after administration headaches, fever, sweating, shivering, myalgia, arthralgia, nausea, tachycardia, increased blood pressure followed by hypotension may occur. These symptoms resolve after 10 to 12 hours. Patients should be informed that this is a usual, transient sequela of antibiotic therapy. Appropriate therapy should be instituted to suppress or attenuate a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (see section 4.8).

With long-term treatment (more than a single dose), periodic assessment of organ system functions, including renal, hepatic and haematopoietic function is recommended.

Prolonged use of benzylpenicillin benzathine may occasionally result in an overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms or yeast and patients should be observed carefully for superinfections.

Antibiotic-associated colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents including benzylpenicillin benzathine and may range in severity from mild to life threatening (see section 4.8). Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhoea during or subsequent to the administration of any antibiotics. Should antibiotic-associated colitis occur, benzylpenicillin benzathine should be discontinued, a physician be consulted, and an appropriate therapy initiated. Anti-peristaltic drugs are contraindicated in this situation.

If neurological involvement cannot be excluded in patients with congenital syphilis, forms of penicillin that reach a higher level in cerebrospinal fluid should be used.

In diseases such as severe pneumonia, empyema, sepsis, meningitis or peritonitis, which require higher serum penicillin levels, alternative treatment such as the water-soluble alkali salt of benzylpenicillin should be considered.

Notes on administering benzylpenicillin benzathine

Painful induration may occur in the event of accidental subcutaneous administration. Ice packs help in such cases.

In the event of inadvertent intravascular injection, Hoigné syndrome may occur (symptoms of shock with mortal fear, confusion, hallucinations, possibly cyanosis, tachycardia and motor disorders, although no circulatory collapse), caused by microemboli of the suspension. The symptoms regress within an hour. If progression is severe, parenteral administration of sedatives is indicated.

In the event of inadvertent intra-arterial injection, particularly in children, serious complications may occur, such as vascular occlusion, thrombosis and gangrene. Initial signs are pale patches in the skin area of the gluteal region. As a result of high injection pressure, retrograde entry of the injected liquid into the common iliac artery, aorta or spinal arteries may occur.

Repeated injections into a limited area of the muscle tissue, which are associated with long term therapy with depot-penicillins (e.g. in the treatment of syphilis) may induce tissue damage and increased local vascularization. Subsequent injections increase the possibility of penetration of injection substance into the blood, either by direct injection into a blood vessel or caused by the injection pressure itself, or by “rubbing” of the depot. During long term therapy it is therefore recommended to administer each injection a large distance from the preceding injection.

Effect on diagnostic laboratory procedures:

- A positive direct Coombs' test often develops (≥ 1% to < 10%) in patients receiving 10 million IU (equivalent to 6 g) benzylpenicillin or more per day. After discontinuation of the penicillin, the direct antiglobulin test may remain positive for 6 to 8 weeks (see section 4.8).

- Determination of urinary protein using precipitation techniques (sulphosalicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid), the Folin-Ciocalteu-Lowry method or the biuret method may lead to false positive results. Urinary protein should therefore be determined by other methods.

- Urinary amino acid determination using the ninhydrin method may likewise lead to false-positive results.

- Penicillins bind to albumin. In electrophoresis methods to determine albumin, pseudobisalbuminaemia may therefore be simulated.

- During therapy with benzylpenicillin benzathine, non-enzymatic urinary glucose detection and urobilinogen detection may exhibit a false positive.

- When determining 17-ketosteroids (using the Zimmermann reaction) in the urine, increased values may occur during therapy with benzylpenicillin benzathine.

Excipients

Benzylpenicillin benzathine 1.2 Million I.U. and 2.4 Million I.U. powder for suspension for injection contains phospholipids from the soya lecithin. If you are allergic to peanut or soya, do not use this medicinal product.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per vial of 1.2 Million I.U. and 2.4 Million I.U., i.e. essentially 'sodium-free'.

Delayed excretion of povidone should be taken into consideration in patients with renal impairment. As this medicinal product contains povidone, it cannot be ruled out that frequent or prolonged use may very rarely lead to the accumulation of povidone in the reticuloendothelial system (RES), or to local deposits and the formation of foreign body granulomas which may be confused with tumours.

Use of lidocaine

When lidocaine solution is used as a solvent (see section 6.6), contraindications to lidocaine, warnings and other relevant information as detailed in the Summary of Product Characteristics of lidocaine must be considered before use (see section 4.3).

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Concomitant administration of benzylpenicillin benzathine is not recommended with:

- bacteriostatic antibiotics: based on the general principle not to combine bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics.

Caution should be exercised when co-administering the following:

- probenecid: the administration of probenecid leads to inhibition of the tubular secretion of benzylpenicillin, resulting in an increase in the serum concentration and prolongation of the elimination half-life. Furthermore, probenecid inhibits the penicillin transport from the cerebrospinal fluid, so that the concomitant administration of probenecid reduces the penetration of benzylpenicillin into brain tissue even further.

- methotrexate: when taken at the same time as benzylpenicillin benzathine, the excretion of methotrexate is reduced. This can lead to increased methotrexate toxicity. The combination with methotrexate is not recommended.

- anticoagulants: concomitant use with oral anticoagulants may increase the anti-vitamin K effect and the risk of bleeding. It is recommended that the International Normalised Ratio (INR) is monitored frequently and the posology of the anti-vitamin K drug adjusted accordingly, both during and after treatment with benzylpenicillin benzathine.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Benzylpenicillin benzathine crosses the placenta. 10-30% of maternal plasma concentrations are found in the foetal circulation. High concentrations are also reached in the amniotic fluid. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. Benzylpenicillin benzathine can be used during pregnancy when appropriately indicated and with due consideration of the benefits and risks.

Breast-feeding

Benzylpenicillin benzathine is excreted in human milk in small amounts. The concentration in maternal milk may reach 2 to 15% of the mother's serum concentrations.

Although no undesirable effects in infants fed on breast milk have been reported to date, consideration must nevertheless be given to the possibility of sensitisation or interference with the intestinal flora. Breast-feeding should be stopped in the case of occurrence of diarrhoea, candidosis or rash in the child.

In infants also being fed on baby food, mothers should express and discard breast milk during benzylpenicillin benzathine treatment. Breast-feeding can be resumed 24 hours after finishing treatment.

Fertility

No fertility studies have been conducted in humans. Reproductive studies on mice, rats and rabbits have not revealed any negative effects on fertility. No long-term fertility studies on laboratory animals are available.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Due to the occurrence of possible serious undesirable effects (e.g. anaphylactic shock with collapse and anaphylactoid reactions, see also section 4.8), Benzylpenicillin benzathine can have a major influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most frequent and common adverse reactions related to benzylpenicillin benzathine are candidiasis, diarrhoea, nausea and laboratory investigation changes.

Table 2 - Tabulated list of adverse drug reactions by MedDRA System Organ Class.

MedDRA System Organ class

Common

(> 1/100 to < 1/10)

Uncommon

(> 1/1,000 to < 1/100)

Rare

(> 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000)

Very rare

(< 1/10,000)

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from available data)

Infections and infestations

Candidiasis

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Haemolytic anaemia

Leukopenia

Thrombocytopenia

Agranulocytosis

Immune system disorders

Allergic reactions

Urticaria

Angioedema

Erythema multiform

Exfoliative dermatitis

Fever

Arthralgia

Anaphylactic shock with collapse and anaphylactoid reactions (asthma, purpura, gastrointestinal symptoms)

Serum sickness

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea

Nausea

Stomatitis and glossitis

Vomiting

Pseudomembranous colitis (see section 4.4)

Hepatobiliary disorders

Hepatitis

Cholestasis

Renal and urinary disorders

Nephropathy

Interstitial nephritis

General disorders and administration site conditions

Pain at the injection site

Injection site infiltrates

Hoigné syndrome

Nicolau syndrome

Investigations

Positive direct Coombs' test

False-positive urinary protein determination when precipitation techniques are used (Folin-Ciocalteu-Lowry method, biuret method)

False-positive urinary amino acid determination (ninhydrin method)

Simulation of pseudobisalbuminaemia when using electrophoresis methods to determine albumin

False-positive non-enzymatic urinary glucose detection and urobilinogen detection

Increased levels when determining 17-ketosteroids in urine (when the Zimmermann reaction is used) (see section 4.4)

Description of selected adverse reactions

When treating syphilis, a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction may occur as a result of bacteriolysis, characterised by fever, chills, general and focal symptoms. In patients with dermatomycosis, para-allergic reactions may occur, as common antigenicity may exist between penicillins and dermatophyte metabolites.

In infants, local reactions are possible.

It cannot be excluded that, in very rare cases and due to the povidone content, povidone may accumulate in the reticuloendothelial system (RES) or local deposits and foreign body granuloma may occur, which may be confused with tumours.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme (website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store).

4.9. Overdose

At extremely high doses, penicillins can induce neuromuscular excitability or epileptiform seizures. If overdose is suspected, clinical monitoring and symptomatic measures are indicated. Benzylpenicillin can be haemodialyzed.