What is the safety category of Benzylpenicillin?

Benzylpenicillin, also known as penicillin G, is classified as a Category B medication during pregnancy. This means that studies in animals have not shown any evidence of harm to the fetus, and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. However, the potential benefits of using Benzylpenicillin in pregnant individuals may justify its use despite any potential risks.

Category A, on the other hand, is reserved for medications where controlled studies in pregnant women have demonstrated no risk to the fetus in the first trimester and no evidence of risk in later trimesters. Since Benzylpenicillin does not meet these criteria, it cannot be classified as Category A.

Understanding the safety categories is essential for practitioners to ensure that they prescribe medications like Benzylpenicillin appropriately during pregnancy, weighing the potential risks and benefits to both the mother and the fetus.