FDA Announces the Importation of a New Medication for the Treatment of Syphilis

Extencilline (Benzylpenicillin Benzathine) will be Available to Address the Shortage of Bicillin-LA

January 17, 2024 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the importation of a medication to address the ongoing shortage of Bicillin-LA, a medication used to treat syphilis in pregnancy. In response, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) issued the following statement.

“SMFM supports the use of Extencilline (Benzylpenicillin Benzathine) for the treatment of syphilis in pregnant patients who meet the clinical qualification. This therapy should not be withheld specifically due to pregnancy or lactation. Extencilline has been determined to be equivalent to Bicillin L-A® and the dosing is the same.”