Benzathine penicillin (Penidural - Wyeth) is the penicillin salt of N, N’-dibenzyl-ethylenediamine. It was originally introduced as a depot preparation for intramuscular injection, for it is only slightly soluble (1 in 6000) and low concentrations of penicillin can be detected in the blood for several weeks after a single dose. The injection has mainly been used to prevent streptococcal infection in subjects liable to rheumatic fever; 0.9 G is given every 3 to 4 weeks. It is also a simple and very effective means of eradicating streptococcal infection, which does not depend on the patient’s willingness to continue taking oral penicillin after he has begun to feel well.
Prophylactic Use of Oral Penicillin in Rheumatic Fever, Chorea, and Carditis
