Treats infections and prevents relapse of rheumatic fever.
Brand Names:
Bicillin L-A
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to any type of penicillin.
Uses:
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
If you miss more than one dose, call your doctor for instructions.
Storage:
If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may take the medicine out of the refrigerator 1 hour before using it to allow it to warm to room temperature.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using probenecid (Benemid®), tetracycline, or erythromycin (Erythro-Tab®, E-Mycin®).
Birth control pills, implants, or shots may not work while you are using penicillin. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control such as condoms, a diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have asthma or have ever had an allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic (such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cephalexin, Ceftin®, Keflex®).
If you have severe diarrhea, ask your doctor before taking any medicine to stop the diarrhea.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate
Diarrhea (may be watery or contain blood)
Fast, pounding heartbeat
Lightheadedness or fainting
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Nausea or vomiting
Pain, itching, swelling, or irritation where your shot is given
