Description:

Zathenza is a brand of benzathine benzylpenicillin (also called benzathine penicillin G), a long-acting injectable antibiotic used to treat and prevent bacterial infections, particularly those caused by group A streptococci (e.g., strep throat, scarlet fever), syphilis, yaws, rheumatic fever prophylaxis, and other susceptible gram-positive infections. It provides prolonged release of penicillin over 2–4 weeks due to its insoluble benzathine salt form.

Prescription:

• Prescription required; administered only by healthcare professionals (intramuscular injection).

Therapeutic Category:

• Antibiotic (narrow-spectrum beta-lactam penicillin; long-acting depot penicillin for gram-positive bacteria and certain spirochetes like Treponema).

Active Ingredients/Composition:

• Benzathine benzylpenicillin 1,200,000 IU (1.2 million units) or 2,400,000 IU (2.4 million units) per vial (powder for suspension); reconstituted with sterile water for injection.

Vitamins: Not present.

Minerals: Not present.

Variant:

• Common strengths: 1.2 million IU and 2.4 million IU vials (powder and solvent for suspension for injection).

Consume Type:

• Parenteral (deep intramuscular injection only; never intravenous).

Directions/Usage: Administered by a doctor or nurse as a deep intramuscular injection (usually in the buttocks or thigh).

• Syphilis (primary/secondary): 2.4 million IU single dose.
• Rheumatic fever prophylaxis: 1.2–2.4 million IU every 3–4 weeks.
• Yaws or streptococcal infections: 1.2–2.4 million IU single or repeated dose. Reconstitute powder with provided sterile water; shake well before injection. Do not give IV (risk of severe reactions or death).

Common Side Effects: Pain/redness/swelling at injection site, mild fever, allergic reactions (rash, itching), Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (fever, chills, headache after starting syphilis treatment). Rare but serious: anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergy), serum sickness, neutropenia, or neurological effects.

Package Type: Single-dose vial (powder) + ampoule of sterile water for reconstitution (typically 4 mL or 6 mL solvent for 1.2 MU or 2.4 MU).

Storage Advice: Store unreconstituted vials at room temperature (below 30°C), protected from light. After reconstitution, use immediately (do not store reconstituted suspension). Keep out of reach of children.

Safety Advice: Contraindicated in patients with known penicillin allergy (risk of anaphylaxis—test skin if history uncertain). Use caution in history of allergies, asthma, or hay fever. Not for viral infections. Monitor for allergic reactions during/after injection (have adrenaline ready). Avoid in patients with severe renal impairment without dose adjustment. Pregnancy: generally safe (Category B), but consult doctor. Breastfeeding: safe in usual doses. Report immediate severe reactions (difficulty breathing, swelling, rash). Never give intravenously.

Product Substitutes:

• Bicillin L-A (original brand)
• Benzathine Benzylpenicillin generics (e.g., from Laboratorio Reig Jofre, or other importers in Ghana)
• Retarpen LA
• Other benzathine penicillin G brands (1.2 MU or 2.4 MU vials). Consult a doctor for alternatives.

Manufacturer/Marketer:

• BEO Pharma

Country of Origin:

• India