There is an ongoing nationwide shortage of penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A®) – the first-line recommended treatment for syphilis. For more information, read the CDC's drug notices.
MDHHS recommends:
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Pregnant persons, females of childbearing age, and symptomatic males should be treated with the CDC recommended dosing regimen of penicillin G benzathine IM based on their syphilis diagnoses.
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Clients with a tetracycline allergy should be treated with the CDC recommended dosing regimen of penicillin G benzathine IM.
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Consider treating asymptomatic males, or syphilis contacts who are not pregnant or do not have a tetracycline allergy, with the alternative regimen (doxycycline 100mg. orally 2x/day for 14 days) as clinically indicated.
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Additional doses of penicillin G benzathine IM to treat early syphilis do not enhance efficacy, including in patients living with HIV infection.
At this time, MHC has been allocated a supply that is adequate to meet needs, based on historical usage patterns, and supports the prioritization criteria as outlined by MDHHS above.