Serum Penicillin G Levels After Injection
Author Information
Author(s): Broderick Michael P., Hansen Christian J., Russell Kevin L., Kaplan Edward L., Blumer Jeffrey L., Faix Dennis J.
Primary Institution: Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, United States of America
Hypothesis
How long do serum penicillin G levels remain adequate after administration of benzathine penicillin G?
Conclusion
Serum penicillin G levels fall below protective levels in healthy young adults within 2.5 weeks after injection.
Supporting Evidence
- Serum penicillin G levels were measured at staggered time points over 4 weeks.
- The half-life of serum penicillin G was found to be 4.1 days.
- More than 50% of subjects had levels below protective thresholds by day 9.
Takeaway
When you get a shot of penicillin, it doesn't stay in your body long enough to help you after about two weeks.
Methodology
329 male military recruits received 1.2 million units of benzathine penicillin G and had their serum levels measured over 4 weeks.
Limitations
The study only included male military trainees and did not account for potential variations in penicillin bioavailability from different manufacturers.
Participant Demographics
All participants were male military trainees with a mean age of 20 years.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% confidence intervals were calculated for serum penicillin G levels.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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