penicillin g potassium
Pharmaranks rates Penicillin G Potassium 2.8/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Penicillin G Potassium is a penicillin-class antibacterial used to treat Actinomycosis, Anthrax, Botulism, Diphtheria.
Penicillin-Class Antibacterial · by Teva
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Penicillin G Potassium
- Drug class
- Penicillin-Class Antibacterial
- Form
- Injectable, Solution
- Strength
- Penicillin G Potassium 200,000 Units · Penicillin G Potassium 250,000 Units · Penicillin G Potassium 400,000 Units · Penicillin G Potassium 500,000 Units
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Generic
- May treat
- actinomycosis, anthrax, botulism
- Manufacturer
- Teva
- FDA application
- ANDA060306
- Availability
- Discontinued (per FDA)
What is Penicillin G Potassium?
From the FDA label:Penicillin G Potassium, USP is a natural penicillin. It is chemically designated 4-Thia-1-azabicyclo [3.2.0] heptane-2-carboxylicacid,3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-6-[(phenylacetyl)amino], monopotassium salt, [2S-(2α, 5α, 6β)]. Penicillin G potassium is a colorless or white crystal, or a white crystalline powder which is odorless, or practically so, and moderately hygroscopic. It is freely soluble in water, in isotonic sodium chloride solution and in dextrose solution. The structural formula is as shown below. Buffered Penicillin G Potassium for Injection is a sterile, pyrogen-free powder for reconstitution. Buffered Penicillin G Potassium for Injection is an antibacterial agent for intramuscular, continuous intravenous drip, intrapleural or other local infusion, and intrathecal administration. Penicillin G Potassium for Injection, USP is supplied in vials equivalent to 5,000,000 units (5 million units) or 20,000,000 units (20 million units) of penicillin G as the potassium salt. Each million units contains approximately 6.8 milligrams of sodium (0.3 mEq) and 65.6 milligrams of potassium (1.68 mEq). Buffered with sodium citrate to a pH of 6.0 to 8.5. structure
How to use
Penicillin G Potassium is sold in more than one form (Injectable and Solution), and each is dosed differently. The instructions below come from the FDA label for application ANDA060306 — follow the label that came with the product you were actually prescribed.
Penicillin G Potassium for Injection, USP may be given intravenously or intramuscularly. The usual dose recommendations are as follows: Adult Patients (*)Because of its short half-life, Penicillin G is administered in divided doses, usually every 4-6 hours with the exception of meningococcal meningitis/septicemia, i.e., every 2 hours. Pediatric Patients This product should not be administered to patients requiring less than one million units per dose. (see PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use) Renal Impairment Penicillin G is relatively nontoxic, and dosage adjustments are generally required only in cases of severe renal impairment. The recommended dosage regimens are as follows: Creatinine clearance less than 10 mL/min/1.73 m2; administer a full loading dose (see recommended dosages in the tables above) followed by one-half of the loading dose every 8 to 10 hours. Uremic patients with a creatinine clearance greater than 10 mL/min/1.73 m2; administer a full loading dose (see recommended dosages in the tables above) followed by one-half of the loading dose every 4 to 5 hours. Additional dosage modifications should be made in patients with hepatic disease and renal impairment. For most acute infections, treatment should be continued for at least 48 to 72 hours after the patient becomes asymptomatic. Antibiotic therapy for Group A β-hemolytic streptococcal infections should be maintained…
Side effects
Body as a whole The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is a systemic reaction, that may occur after the initiation of penicillin therapy in patients with syphilis or other spirochetal infections (i.e., Lyme disease and Relapsing fever). The reaction begins one to two hours after initiation of therapy and disappears within 12 to 24 hours. It is characterized by fever, chills, myalgias, headache, exacerbation of cutaneous lesions, tachycardia, hyperventilation, vasodilation with flushing and mild hypotension. The pathogenesis of the Herxheimer reaction may be due to the release from the spirochetes of heat-stable pyrogen. Hypersensitivity reactions The reported incidence of allergic reactions to all penicillins ranges from 0.7 to 10 percent in different studies (see WARNINGS). Sensitization is usually the result of previous treatment with a penicillin, but some individuals have had immediate reactions when first treated. In such cases, it is postulated that prior exposure to penicillin may have occurred via trace amounts present in milk or vaccines. Two types of allergic reactions to penicillin are noted clinically – immediate and delayed. Immediate reactions usually occur within 20 minutes of administration and range in severity from urticaria and pruritus to angioneurotic edema, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, hypotension, vascular collapse and death (see WARNINGS). Such immediate…
Warnings
Important safety information
Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy. These reactions are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. There have been reports of individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity who have experienced severe reactions when treated with cephalosporins. Before initiating therapy with penicillin G, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other allergens. If an allergic reaction occurs, penicillin G should be discontinued, and the appropriate therapy instituted. Serious anaphylactic reactions require immediate emergency treatment with epinephrine. Oxygen, intravenous steroids, and airway management including intubation, should also be administered as indicated. Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including Penicillin G Potassium for Injection, USP, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile. C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.
Who should not take Penicillin G Potassium
A history of a hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reaction to any penicillin is a contraindication.
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Dose related toxicity may arise with the use of massive doses of intravenous penicillins (40 to 100 million units per day), particularly in patients with severe renal impairment (see PRECAUTIONS). The manifestations may include agitation, confusion, asterixis, hallucinations, stupor, coma, multifocal myoclonus, seizures and encephalopathy. Hyperkalemia is also possible (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Metabolic). In case of overdosage, discontinue penicillin, treat symptomatically and institute supportive measures as required. If necessary, hemodialysis may be used to reduce blood levels of penicillin G, although the degree of effectiveness of this procedure is questionable.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
- actinomycosis
- anthrax
- botulism
- diphtheria
- empyema
- endocarditis
See how Penicillin G Potassium ranks — best-rated penicillin-class antibacterial for:
Dosage forms
Injectable and Solution
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
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Request a 90-day supply
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Use copay cards
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Penicillin G Potassium treat?
- Penicillin G Potassium (Penicillin G Potassium) may be used to treat actinomycosis, anthrax, botulism, diphtheria, empyema, endocarditis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How is Penicillin G Potassium rated?
- pharmaranks gives Penicillin G Potassium a composite score of 2.8 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Penicillin G Potassium?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Penicillin G Potassium. To pay less, Penicillin G Potassium is already a generic — usually the lowest-cost version — so the main levers are comparing cash prices between pharmacies and using a pharmacy discount-card service. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Penicillin G Potassium?
- Penicillin G Potassium is marketed by Teva. You can see Teva's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Penicillin G Potassium a brand-name or generic drug?
- Penicillin G Potassium is a generic medication; its active ingredient is Penicillin G Potassium. Generics contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name original and are usually lower cost.
- Is Penicillin G Potassium available over the counter?
- No. Penicillin G Potassium is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Penicillin G Potassium come in?
- Penicillin G Potassium is currently marketed as injectable and solution, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Penicillin G Potassium?
- Penicillin G Potassium is classified as penicillin-class antibacterial, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Penicillin G Potassium FDA-registered?
- Penicillin G Potassium is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number ANDA060306. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Penicillin G Potassium been recalled by the FDA?
- Penicillin G Potassium has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
- Is Penicillin G Potassium safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Penicillin G Potassium a recall-safety score of 56/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Penicillin G Potassium?
- Penicillin G Potassium's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Body as a whole The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is a systemic reaction, that may occur after the initiation of penicillin therapy in patients with syphilis or other spirochetal infections (i.e., Lyme disease and Relapsing fever).… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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penicillin g potassium
56/100