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BEPEN 1.0 MU INJECTION contains 41.6 mg of sodium/vial.
BEPEN 5.0 MU INJECTION contains 208 mg of sodium/vial.
Massive doses of Benzylpenicillin Sodium BP can cause hypokalaemia and sometimes hypernatremia. Use of a potassium-sparing diuretic may be helpful. In patients undergoing high-dose treatment for more than 5 days, electrolyte balance, blood counts and renal functions should be monitored.
In the presence of impaired renal function, large doses of penicillin can cause cerebral irritation, convulsions and coma.
Skin sensitization may occur in persons handling the antibiotic and care should be taken to avoid contact with the substance.
It should be recognized that any patient with a history of allergy, especially to drugs, is more likely to develop a hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin. Patients should be observed for 30 minutes after administration and if an allergic reaction occurs, the drug should be withdrawn and appropriate treatment given.
Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylactoid and severe cutaneous adverse reactions) have been reported in patients receiving therapy with beta-lactams. Before initiating therapy with BEPEN, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin, cephalosporins, carbapenems or other beta-lactam agents. If an allergic reaction occurs, BEPEN must be discontinued immediately and appropriate alternative therapy instituted.
Delayed absorption from the intramuscular depot may occur in diabetics.
Prolonged use of Benzylpenicillin may occasionally result in an overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms or yeast and patients should be observed carefully for superinfections.
Pseudomembranous colitis should be considered in patients who develop severe and persistent diarrhoea during or after receiving Benzylpenicillin. In this situation, even if Clostridium difficile is only suspected, administration of Benzylpenicillin should be discontinued and appropriate treatment given.
