Zimbabwe - The Medicines Control Authority has received 3 reports of death associated with benzathine penicillin injections from 3 different manufacturers.

Prior to these reports - from 1993 to 1999 - the Authority has received only one report of an adverse reaction associated with benzathine penicillin injection where a patient had fainted for about 30 seconds after administration of the injection, but recovered. No concomitant medicines were taken. It was also reported that the patient had suffered a previous adverse reaction following a penicillin injection.

It is not clear whether these cases represent a higher incidence of hypersensitivity than would normally be expected with this drug.

Reference: Drug Information Bulletin Vol. 4, No. 2, June 2000.