Paper II
2023 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) · 100 marks · 180 min

Question

Pharmacological basis for the use of Benzathine Penicillin in Rheumatic fever prophylaxis.

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Answer

Benzathine penicillin is used for rheumatic fever prophylaxis because it maintains bactericidal plasma levels against Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus) for approximately 3-4 weeks after a single IM injection, thanks to its very slow release from the injection site. Rheumatic fever recurrence is triggered by recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis in a sensitized individual, so sustained, reliable long-term suppression of streptococcal colonization/infection — achievable with monthly dosing, avoiding the adherence problems of daily oral prophylaxis over the years-long duration recurrence prophylaxis requires — is the specific pharmacological basis for its use.

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