BICILLIN® L-A SHORTAGE AND SYPHILIS TREATMENT – CURRENT SITUATION
Summary
Penicillin G benzathine is the recommended treatment for syphilis, and the only recommended treatment for pregnant women infected with or exposed to syphilis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously informed the State of Nevada Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention and Control Program of a shortage of Bicillin L-A® (penicillin G benzathine) in the United States that would last through the end of 2024. Bicillin® L-A supply is improving, but it will not be fully available until later this year, per Pfizer’s Availability Report.
The State of Nevada STD Prevention and Control Program has been in communication with the local health authorities of Nevada and confirmed that there is currently sufficient supply of Bicillin in Nevada. With the current Bicillin® L-A drug update, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) recommends the following:
Recommendations for Healthcare Providers:
Use Bicillin® L-A for all appropriate patients, per CDC’s standard guidance.
- As a reminder, use of other intramuscular formulations of penicillin, including Bicillin® C-R, are not acceptable alternatives for the treatment of syphilis.
- Follow-up clinical and serologic evaluation should be performed after treatment at the recommended intervals per the 2021 CDC Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Treatment Guidelines.
- If you have questions about syphilis clinical management, please contact an infectious disease specialist, or the on-line National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) STD Clinical Consultation Network at this network address: https://www.stdccn.org/.
- The CDC is not recommending any changes to treatment recommendations for patients with syphilis.
If you are experiencing Bicillin L-A® supply issues, please notify the local health authority in your area and contact Pfizer Hospital US directly at the number or email below:
Pfizer Hospital US:
Phone: 844-646-4398
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST
Email: PISupplyContinuity@Pfizer.com (For assistance with orders/supply information)
| Local Health Authority | County | Phone Number to Report |
| Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) | Clark | (702) 759-1300 (24 hours) |
| Washoe County Health District (WCHD) | Washoe | (775) 328-2447 (24 hours) |
| Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS) | Carson City, Douglas, and Lyon | (775) 887-2190 (24 hours) |
| Central Nevada Health District (CNHD) | Churchill, Mineral, Eureka, Pershing | (775) 866-7535 (24 hours) |
| Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) | All other counties | (775) 684-5911 (M-F 8am-5pm) (775) 400-0333 (after hours) |
For more information:
Food and Drug Administration Drug Shortage Website
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Drug Notices
Recommendations for Local Health Authorities
Please notify the Office of State Epidemiology of any Bicillin shortages reported in your jurisdiction.
Questions
For updated guidance, review the Division of Public and Behavioral Health Technical Bulletin web page regularly. Email stateepi@health.nv.gov for other questions regarding Bicillin® L-A Shortage and syphilis treatment.