BENZYLPENICILLIN SODIUM

Brand Names : Sodium penicillin G; Penicilin G sodium, Sodium penicillin II; Sodium benzylpenicillate; Benzylpenicillinic acid sodium salt; Penicillin; American penicillin; Nalpen G; Novocillin; Penilaryn; Pen-A-Brasive; Veticillin: Crystalline penicillin G.

The sodium salt of 6-phenyl acetamidopenicillanic acid. an antimicrobial acid produced by growing certain strains of Penicillium notatum or related organisms or obtained by any other means. It is industrially produced by submerged fermantation using molds mutated from Penicillium chrysogenum.

The antibiotic is a white to slightly yellow, moderately hygroscopic, crystalline powder, odourless or with a faint characteristic odour; crystallized from methanol and ethyl acetate mixture. It is very soluble in water; practically insoluble in chloroform, ether, fixed oils, and liquid paraffin; also soluble in alcohol, glycerol, and other primary alcohols One I.U. or U.S.P. penicillin unit is equivalent to 0.6 ug (O.0005988 mg) of benzylpenicillin sodium. One mg of benzylpenicillin sodium is equivalent to 1670 units. Pure crystalline benzylpenicillin sodium is stable. At pH 5.5 to 6.0 refrigerated solutions may be kept for a few days. Benzylpenicillin is also precipitated by many metal ions. Benzylpenicillin sodium is stored at a temperature not exceeding 30° in airtight containers.

Benzylpenicillin sodium or potassium is hydrolyzed in aqueous solutions by degradation of the b-lactam ring and hydrolysis is accelerated by increased temperature or alkaline conditions; inactivation also occurs under acid conditions. Degradation products include penillic, penicillenic, and penicilloic acids. By buffering solutions to pH 5.5 to 7.5 deterioration is retarded. Dilute solutions are more stable than concentrated ones. The sodium and potassium salts of penicillin are inactivated by the gastric juice, and were not effective when administered orally unlessantacids such as calcium carbonate, aluminium hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate or a strong buffer like sodium citrate were added.

Uses

Benzylpenicillin is used in the treatment of a variety of infections due to susceptible organisms, including abscesses, actinomycosis, anthrax, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, skin infections, including erysipelas, wound infections, gas gangrelie, tetanus gonorrhoea, syphilis, yaws, pinta, rat-bite fever, diphtheria, pneumococcal pneumonia, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, Vincent's infection, rheumatic fever, some types of subacute bacterial endocarditis, meningitis. otitis media and osteomyelitis. The drug is also used prophylactically before dental and surgical procedures in patients at risk of developing endocarditis and to prevent a recurrence of rheumatic fever.

Side effect

The most common adverse effects associated with Vee; benzylpenicillin are allergic reactions and of skin rashes.