Bicillin C R (Bicillin C-R) — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies

Bicillin C-R combines two forms of penicillin G in a single intramuscular injection: penicillin G procaine, which is absorbed and acts relatively quickly, and penicillin G benzathine, which releases slowly and keeps drug levels in the body for days afterward. Pairing a fast-acting and a long-acting component in one shot gives quicker initial coverage plus sustained levels afterward — useful for infections like moderately severe strep throat, where a single injection can replace a multi-day course of oral antibiotics for patients who might not reliably finish a pill regimen.

The FDA label carries a prominent boxed warning: Bicillin C-R must never be given intravenously. Accidental IV administration of penicillin G benzathine has been linked to cardiorespiratory arrest and death, so it's given only as a deep intramuscular injection by a trained healthcare professional — never self-administered or infused.

Like all penicillins, it carries a risk of allergic reaction, including rare but serious anaphylaxis, in people with a penicillin allergy — a careful allergy history is standard practice before this injection is given.

Boxed warning

WARNING: NOT FOR INTRAVENOUS USE. DO NOT INJECT INTRAVENOUSLY OR ADMIX WITH OTHER INTRAVENOUS SOLUTIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF INADVERTENT INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF PENICILLIN G BENZATHINE WHICH HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH CARDIORESPIRATORY ARREST AND DEATH. Prior to administration of this drug, carefully read the WARNINGS , ADVERSE REACTIONS , and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION sections of the labeling.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS A previous hypersensitivity reaction to any penicillin or to procaine is a contraindication.

Warnings

WARNINGS WARNING: NOT FOR INTRAVENOUS USE. DO NOT INJECT INTRAVENOUSLY OR ADMIX WITH OTHER INTRAVENOUS SOLUTIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF INADVERTENT INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF PENICILLIN G BENZATHINE WHICH HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH CARDIORESPIRATORY ARREST AND DEATH. Prior to administration of this drug, carefully read the WARNINGS , ADVERSE REACTIONS , and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION sections of the labeling. The combination of penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine should only be prescribed for the indications listed in this insert. Anaphylaxis SERIOUS AND OCCASIONALLY FATAL HYPERSENSITIVITY (ANAPHYLACTIC) REACTIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN PATIENTS ON PENICILLIN THERAPY.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Pregnancy Teratogenic effects Reproduction studies performed in the mouse, rat, and rabbit have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to penicillin G. Human experience with the penicillins during pregnancy has not shown any positive evidence of adverse effects on the fetus. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women showing conclusively that harmful effects of these drugs on the fetus can be excluded.