PEDIATRICS Vol. 97 No. 6 June 1996, pp. 989-991
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Are the Currently Recommended Doses of Benzathine Penicillin G Adequate for Secondary Prophylaxis of Rheumatic Fever?

Bart J. Currie MB, FRACP1

1 Menzies School of Health Research, Casuarina, Australia

Objective. To review the literature on dose and regimens of intramuscular benzathine penicillin G (BPG) for secondary prophylaxis of recurrent rheumatic fever.

Setting. For over 40 years BPG has been the gold standard for secondary prophylaxis, usually as a dose of 1 200 000 U (900 mg). Although studies have suggested that BPG injections every 3 weeks are superior to injections every 4 weeks, implementation of an every 3 weeks regimen can be problematic with regards to both patient compliance (adherence) and an increased burden on health resources.

Findings. Some of the earliest studies of BPG suggested that larger doses resulted in prolongation of detectable penicillin levels. A recent study assessing plasma penicillin levels after BPG doses of 1 200 000 U, 1 800 000 U, and 2 400 000 U suggested there may be benefits in a BPG regimen every 4 weeks with doses higher than the standard 1 200 000 U.

Conclusions. Further studies of higher dose BPG regimens seem justified. In addition, further work is needed on quality and storage options for different BPG preparations; location and method of BPG injections; the importance of weight differences between individuals; and ways of improving access to and compliance with BPG regimens.




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E. L. Kaplan and D. R. Johnson
Unexplained Reduced Microbiological Efficacy of Intramuscular Benzathine Penicillin G and of Oral Penicillin V in Eradication of Group A Streptococci From Children With Acute Pharyngitis
Pediatrics, November 1, 2001; 108(5): 1180 - 1186.
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