Protocol For The Preparation Of Benzathine Penicillin

This text is meant to serve as a guideline to supplement the manufacturer's instructions found in the product insert.

This medication is a suspension and not a solution. Therefore there is no complete dissolution possible with benzathine penicillin powder.

Suggested Materials for Injection:
A needle (large calibre) 18 ½ G

A 5 ml three-part (barrel, plunger, stopper) syringe. Preferably with a siliconized (or similar) barrel liner which will ease the progression of the plunger.

Reconstitution:

• Inject the water slowly into the vial of powder along the rim to avoid foaming in the mixture.
• Hold the vial vertically and shake until all the powder is absorbed by the water.
• This preparation should be done only immediately prior to the administration of the product.
• Attach the 18 ½ G needle to the syringe ready to be purged only at the moment of injection, Not beforehand.
• If preparation of the benzathine penicillin cannot be done at the patient's bedside, it would be necessary to rotate the syringe vertically in order for the powder to remix in the water.

Injection:

• The injection should be performed immediately after the syringe has been purged.
• Any delay in performing the injection might cause the suspension to precipitate and therefore obstruct the needle.

Troubleshooting Guide:

1) Needle obstruction

• This benzathine penicillin is a powder for dilution. When reconstituted it forms a suspension, not a solution.
• The product benzathine penicillin will fall out of suspension rapidly which can block the needle and retard the progression of the liquid.
• To prevent this problem the injection should be performed immediately after the syringe has been purged. Any delay in performing the injection might cause the suspension to precipitate and therefore obstruct the needle.