MEDICINES

Why is this medication prescribed?

Penicillin G procaine injection is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria. Penicillin G procaine injection should not be used to treat gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease) or early in the treatment of certain serious infections. Penicillin G procaine injection is in a class of medications called penicillins. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections.

Antibiotics such as penicillin G procaine injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

How should this medicine be used?

Penicillin G procaine injection comes as a suspension (liquid) in a prefilled syringe to inject into the muscles of the buttocks or thigh by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. It is usually given once a day. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection that you have and how well you respond to the medication.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with penicillin G procaine injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Be sure to keep all appointments to receive penicillin G procaine injection on schedule even if you feel better. If you stop receiving penicillin G procaine injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

You may experience a sudden severe reaction immediately after receiving a dose of penicillin G procaine injection that may last for approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms right after your injection: anxiety, confusion, agitation, depression, weakness, seizures, seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist, aggressive behavior, and fear of dying.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving penicillin G procaine injection,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to penicillin G procaine injection, penicillin antibiotics; cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefoxitin, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); procaine; or any other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if a medication you are allergic to belongs to one of these groups of medications. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in penicillin G procaine injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention: probenecid (Probalan) and tetracycline (Achromycin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, allergies, hay fever, hives, or kidney disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving penicillin G procaine injection, call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss an appointment to receive penicillin G procaine injection, call your doctor as soon as possible.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Penicillin G procaine injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

nausea

vomiting

pain, swelling, lump, bleeding, or bruising in the area where the medication was injected

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

rash

hives

itching

difficulty breathing or swallowing

swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

hoarseness

sore throat

chills

fever

headache

muscle or joint pain

weakness

fast heartbeat

severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) with or without fever and stomach cramps that may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment

sudden onset of lower back pain, muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling

blue or black skin discoloration in the area where the medication was injected

skin blistering, peeling, or shedding in the area where the medication was injected

numbness of the arms or legs in the area where the medication was injected

Penicillin G procaine injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

twitching

seizures

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to penicillin G procaine injection.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about penicillin G procaine injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Other names

APPG

Benzylpenicillin Procaine

Procaine Penicillin G

What is a Complete Blood Count?

A complete blood count, or CBC, is a blood test that measures many different parts and features of your blood, including:

Red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

White blood cells, which fight infections and other diseases. There are five major types of white blood cells. A CBC test measures the total number of white cells in your blood. A different test called a CBC with differential measures the number of each type of these white blood cells.

Platelets, which stop bleeding by helping your blood to clot.

Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

Hematocrit, a measurement of how much of your blood is made up of red blood cells.

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), a measure of the average size of your red blood cells.

Other names for a complete blood count: CBC, full blood count, blood cell count

What is it used for?

A complete blood count is a common blood test that is often part of a routine checkup. Complete blood counts can help detect a variety of disorders including infections, anemia, diseases of the immune system, and blood cancers.

Why do I need a complete blood count?

Your health care provider may have ordered a complete blood count as part of your checkup or to monitor your overall health. The test may also be used to:

Help diagnose blood diseases, infection, immune system disorders, or other medical conditions

Check for changes in an existing blood disorder

What happens during a complete blood count?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

Usually there is no special preparation necessary for a complete blood count. But if your provider ordered other tests on your blood sample, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may experience slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle went in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

What do the results mean?

A CBC counts the cells in your blood. There are many reasons your levels may not be in the normal range. For example:

Abnormal levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, or hematocrit may be a sign of anemia, heart disease, or too little iron in your body.

Low white cell count may be a sign of an autoimmune disorder, bone marrow disorder, or cancer.

High white cell count may be a sign of an infection or a reaction to medicine.

If any of your levels are abnormal, it doesn’t always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Diet, activity level, medicines, a menstrual period, not drinking enough water, and other factors can affect the results. Talk with your provider to learn what your results mean.

Is there anything else I need to know about a complete blood count?

A complete blood count is only one tool your health care provider uses to learn about your health. Your provider will consider your medical history, symptoms, and other factors to make a diagnosis. You may also need additional tests.

What is a Blood Differential Test?

A blood differential test measures the amount of each type of white blood cell (WBC) that you have in your body. White blood cells (leukocytes) are part of your immune system, a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect you from infection. There are five different types of white blood cells:

Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell. They are your body’s main defense against infection when bacteria, viruses, or other germs enter your body.

Lymphocytes include two main types of white blood cells: B cells and T cells. B cells fight off invading viruses, bacteria, or toxins. Certain T cells can target and destroy your body’s own cells, such as cancer cells and cells that have been infected by viruses.

Monocytes kill bacteria, viruses, and other germs that may make you sick. They also boost your body’s immune response and clear away dead cells.

Eosinophils defend against parasites and infections. They are also involved in allergies and help control inflammation (swelling and redness).

Basophils release enzymes during allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

However, your test results may have more than five numbers. For example, the lab may list the results as counts as well as percentages.

Other names for a blood differential test: Complete blood count (CBC) with differential, Differential, White blood cell differential count, Leukocyte differential count

What is it used for?

A blood differential test is often part of a general physical exam. Because the five types of white blood cell do different jobs, measuring them separately can give your health care provider important information about your health.

The test can also help diagnose a variety of medical conditions, such as:

Infections

Autoimmune diseases

Inflammatory diseases

Leukemia and other types of cancer

Why do I need a blood differential test?

A blood differential test is used for many reasons. Your provider may have ordered the test to:

Monitor your overall health or as part of a routine checkup.

Diagnose a medical condition when you have symptoms. For example, if you are feeling unusually tired or weak, or have unexplained bruising or other symptoms, this test may help uncover the cause.

Keep track of an existing blood disorder or related condition.

What happens during a blood differential test?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

What do the results mean?

There are many reasons your blood differential test results may be higher or lower than normal. For example, a high white blood cell count may mean you have an infection, an immune disorder, leukemia, or an allergic reaction. A low count may be caused by bone marrow problems, reactions to medicines, or cancer.

But abnormal results don’t always mean you have a condition that needs medical treatment. Factors such as exercise, diet, alcohol level, medicines, and even a woman’s menstrual period can affect the results.

If your results seem abnormal, your provider may order more specific tests to help figure out the cause. To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.

Is there anything else I need to know about a blood differential test?

Use of certain steroids may increase your white blood cell count, which can lead to an abnormal result in your blood differential test.