Bicillin L-A®
Adequately treating syphilis in pregnancy and reducing congenital syphilis cases is challenged by the current shortage of benzathine penicillin G (Bicillin L-A®). The FDA currently lists Penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension products (Bicillin L-A®) on its drug shortage webpage.
The CDC offers a series of clinical reminders during the Bicillin L-A® shortage emphasizing the critical need to prioritize using Bicillin L-A® to treat pregnant people with syphilis and babies with congenital syphilis, as penicillin is the only recommended treatment for these populations.
Extencilline
To address the ongoing shortages of Bicillin L-A®, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the availability of Extencilline (benzathine benzylpenicillin injection, powder, for suspension). The FDA has exercised enforcement discretion for a temporary importation and use of this treatment to mitigate the effects of the Bicillin L-A® drug shortage. Extencilline has been determined to be equivalent to Bicillin L-A® and is currently authorized and marketed in other countries.
See the Illinois Department of Public Health's information regarding acquisition and use of Extencilline.