Benzylpenicillin
Classification: BATC code: J01CE01
Summary
Controlled studies on differences between men and women regarding safety and pharmacokinetics of benzylpenicillin are lacking. A cohort study has shown an higher serological cure of syphilis in men than in women following treatment with benzylpenicillin.
The present evidence concerning differences between men and women is limited and do not motivate differentiation in dosing or treatment.
Additional information
Pharmacokinetics and dosing
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding the pharmacokinetics or dosing of benzylpenicillin have been found.
Effects
A register-based cohort study including 1327 patients with syphilis (782 men, 545 women) showed higher serological cure in men than in women, following treatment with benzylpenicillin [2].
Adverse effects
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding adverse effects of benzylpenicillin have been found.
Reproductive health issues
Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult the Drugs and Birth Defects Database (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).
Other information
A retrospective study, including 1921 patients (794 men, 1122 women, lack of access to 5 medical records), found a greater occurrence of positive penicillin skin test result in female patients than in male patients with self-reported penicillin allergy. The risk was calculated from the whole set of 64 positive results (11 men, 53 women), including different penicillins [1].
Updated: 2019-02-26
Date of litterature search: 2014-12-05
References
- Park MA, Matesic D, Markus PJ, Li JT. Female sex as a risk factor for penicillin allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007;99:54-8. PubMed
- Tong ML, Lin LR, Liu GL, Zhang HL, Zeng YL, Zheng WH et al. Factors associated with serological cure and the serofast state of HIV-negative patients with primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary syphilis. PLoS One. 2013;8:e70102. PubMed
- Conicse. Stockholm: eHälsomyndigheten. 2015 [cited 2016-03-23.] länk
Reviewed by: Mia von Euler
Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson