Pencitard Vial is a widely used antibiotic based on a long-acting penicillin formulation. This vial contains the active ingredient benzathine benzylpenicillin at a concentration of 1,200,000 IU, the only available strength of this drug. This form of penicillin is characterized by its very slow absorption after intramuscular injection, providing therapeutic levels of the drug in the body for long periods, sometimes up to several weeks. This makes it ideal for prophylaxis and for treating infections that require stable drug levels over a long period.
What are the ingredients in Pencitard?
Pencitard Vial contains the following active ingredient:
Benzathine benzylpenicillin: 1,200,000 IU.
In addition to this active ingredient, the vial may contain other ingredients that help preserve and stabilize the drug and facilitate its preparation for injection.
Indications for Use of Pencitard
Pencitard Vial is primarily used for:
Treatment of syphilis: in its various stages, and is one of the main treatments for syphilis.
Prophylaxis of rheumatic fever: as a long-term preventative dose in patients with a history of rheumatic fever to prevent recurrence of streptococcal infection.
Treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis: which can lead to rheumatic fever if left untreated.
Treatment of certain bacterial skin infections: such as erysipelas.
Treatment of certain upper respiratory tract infections: caused by penicillin-sensitive bacteria.
The goal of treatment is to eliminate or prevent the bacteria causing the infection, thus preventing serious complications.
What is the dosage of Pencitard?
The dosage of Pencitard Vial should be carefully determined by a specialist physician based on the type of infection, the patient's age, weight, and general health condition. The medication is prepared for intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional.
For adults: The dose varies depending on the condition. For example, to treat early syphilis, a single dose of 2.4 million international units (i.e., two vials) may be given, while to prevent rheumatic fever, it may be 1.2 million international units (one vial) every 3-4 weeks.
For children: The dose is determined based on weight and age.
The injection should be given deep into a large muscle (such as the buttocks) and should be administered slowly to minimize pain. It is very important to adhere to the dosing schedule to ensure consistent drug levels in the body.
What are the side effects of Pencitard?
Pencitard vial may cause some side effects, some of which are common and others can be serious:
Common side effects:
Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site (very common due to the size of the syringe and the nature of the drug).
Nausea, diarrhea.
Mild skin rash.