Intramicine

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Intramicine

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Intramicine

What is Intramicine? Foundational Identity and Function

To provide a rapid overview of the drug's nature and classification, here are the core identity facts:

Property Description
Active Ingredients Benzylpenicillin, Dihydrostreptomycin
Form Injectable Suspension (Parenteral Formulation)
Pharmacological Class Broad-spectrum Antibiotic Combination (Beta-Lactam/Aminoglycoside)
Common Use Control of systemic bacterial infections (Veterinary)
Origin Semi-synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Intramicine and What is its Purpose?

Intramicine is an injectable, semi-synthetic Broad-spectrum Antibiotic Combination used primarily in veterinary medicine for the potent control of systemic bacterial infections. This product is classified pharmacologically as a synergistic pairing, combining a Beta-Lactam antibiotic with an Aminoglycoside. This specific combination is clinically recognized for achieving rapid therapeutic concentrations vital for managing acute bacterial illness. Its overarching purpose is to provide a comprehensive and robust defense by actively neutralizing a wide range of susceptible bacteria within the affected biological system. The combination design ensures a higher likelihood of therapeutic success compared to using either component alone, establishing it as a fundamental tool for managing microbial threats in veterinary contexts where mixed infections are common.


Composition and Formulation: Benzylpenicillin and Dihydrostreptomycin

Intramicine is a combination product whose identity is defined by the active ingredients Benzylpenicillin and Dihydrostreptomycin. This product strategically utilizes two distinct substances—Benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G) and Dihydrostreptomycin—to maximize antimicrobial reach. Benzylpenicillin is a compound widely recognized for its structure that targets the bacterial cell wall. The drug is supplied as a Parenteral Formulation, specifically an Injectable Suspension, which is administered via Intramuscular Injection. This feature differentiates it from simple aqueous solutions, as the suspension uses an aqueous or oil vehicle that supports a sustained release of the antibiotics into the body over an extended period, maintaining continuous therapeutic action against the target pathogens. Intramicine is typically classified as a prescription-only (Rx) product due to the nature and potency of its active antibiotic components.

What side effects are possible with Intramicine?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile for this combination medicine (Benzylpenicillin and Dihydrostreptomycin) is formally categorized by regulatory authorities, focusing on immune system risks, specific organ toxicities, and constraints for use in specific situations.


Official Adverse Reactions and Safety Scope

Category Documented Effects
Immune System Risks Hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions) are documented to occasionally occur, ranging from skin reactions to the most severe form, anaphylactic shock.
Organ-Specific Toxicity Safety documentation includes the potential for toxicities affecting specific systems, classified under Ear and Labyrinth Disorders (vestibulotoxicity, deafness) and Renal and Urinary Disorders (nephrotoxicity).
Acute Systemic Events Reactions such as nervous system stimulation, pyrexia (fever), and local tissue reactions at the injection site are officially listed.
Serious Acute Reactions Specific adverse reactions noted for their high clinical significance include anaphylactic shock and neuromuscular block, the latter being associated with massive overdose or inappropriate injection route.

Duration- and Condition-Related Safety Patterns

Regulatory documents explicitly link certain serious effects to exposure, noting that the development of deafness and nephrotoxic signs is associated with the prolonged administration of high doses.

Safety-related restrictions formally contraindicate the use of this medicine in individuals with pre-existing renal insufficiency or a known hypersensitivity to penicillins or related compounds. The medicine must also not be administered intravenously.

These official classifications ensure that the medicine's potential risks are understood according to standardized, high-level safety frameworks.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

This section describes the officially documented information regarding Intramicine overdose, strictly based on authoritative government regulatory sources.

Documented Overdose Presentations

Massive overdose exposure is specifically associated with the risk of neuromuscular blockade, which may lead to flaccid paralysis. The most severe, life-threatening manifestation documented in regulatory information is cardiorespiratory depression resulting from these neuromuscular effects.

Overdose Manifestation Physiological System Affected
Neuromuscular Blockade Neuromuscular System
Cardiorespiratory Depression Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems

Required Emergency Action

Immediate medical help must be sought for any suspected overdose of Intramicine, or if any signs of difficulty breathing, paralysis, or severe cardiorespiratory symptoms are observed.

Regulatory documents specify that the documented neuromuscular blockade can be managed by the intravenous administration of calcium. This action is a key component of the official management strategy for controlling the acute, severe toxicity associated with the drug's Dihydrostreptomycin component. Supportive and symptomatic care is also required to manage any resulting clinical changes. Always contact emergency services or a poison control center immediately.

Therapeutic Uses of Intramicine

What Intramicine Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Intramicine is a veterinary antibiotic combination whose main therapeutic benefits center on managing bacterial infections that cause symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain in animals.

The Penicillin G procaine and Dihydrostreptomycin combination is considered relevant in the management of conditions caused by susceptible bacteria.

This medication is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed due to symptoms related to systemic imbalance, such as when fever and overall listlessness occur. It is relevant in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms (e.g., septicemia, Leptospirosis), and the combination provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden.

Intramicine is generally used for managing conditions presenting with systemic discomfort, as well as organ-specific illnesses like pneumonia, metritis, and localized issues such as infected wounds and abscesses. It may assist in the supportive management of the infection and supports a sense of stability when discomfort is more noticeable in acute phases.


Quick Fact: Relief for Systemic Discomfort Intramicine may be part of symptomatic management for symptoms related to systemic imbalance, contributing to improved comfort during symptomatic periods.

Regulatory References

  1. U.S. FDA 21 CFR § 526.1697 on Penicillin G and Dihydrostreptomycin Use

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who Can and Cannot Use Intramicine?

Eligibility for Intramicine, an injectable antibiotic combination (Benzylpenicillin and Dihydrostreptomycin), is strictly defined by regulatory label information for veterinary use.

Approved and Contraindicated Populations

Classification Eligible Populations Contraindicated Populations
Target Species Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, cats, and dogs. Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils.
Age/Health Status Both young and adult animals. Animals with known hypersensitivity to penicillins, procaine, or aminoglycosides.

Condition-Based Restrictions

Intramicine must not be used in animals with seriously impaired renal function (kidney disease) due to regulatory contraindications. Use is also prohibited if the infection is caused by bacteria known to produce penicillinase, which inactivates the penicillin component.

Conditional Use and Restrictions

Use is restricted to a licensed veterinarian's prescription. While generally safe during reproduction, administration to pregnant sows and gilts requires careful risk assessment due to associated label warnings. Additionally, the product is not for use in sheep producing milk intended for human consumption.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Intramicine’s interaction profile is officially documented based on its two active components, Benzylpenicillin and Dihydrostreptomycin, addressing pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and procedural constraints.

Category Interaction Pattern and Official Outcome
Pharmacokinetic Co-administration with Probenecid and other renal tubular secretion inhibitors leads to increased plasma concentrations and a prolonged half-life of the Benzylpenicillin component.
Pharmacodynamic Anesthetics and Muscle Relaxants may have their neuromuscular blocking effects potentiated by the Dihydrostreptomycin component.
Procedural Restriction Mandatory rule to avoid mixing the suspension with other injectables in the same syringe due to physicochemical incompatibility and risk of inactivation.

Official Interaction Statements

  • The Dihydrostreptomycin component presents an additive risk of ototoxicity with nephrotoxic agents and the herbal product Ginkgo.
  • Renal Insufficiency is an officially documented contraindication for the product due to the high risk of Dihydrostreptomycin accumulation and resulting toxicity.

Connection to the overall interaction profile

The regulatory profile is characterized by pharmacokinetic interference leading to increased exposure of one component and pharmacodynamic potentiation affecting the other. This necessitates a specific procedural constraint for mandatory separation of administration from other injectables to prevent inactivation. The official labeling also includes a condition-based contraindication for Renal Insufficiency due to the severity of Dihydrostreptomycin accumulation.

Mechanism of Action

Intramicine is an inhibitor of the enzyme farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), which is a key component of the mevalonate pathway expressed within osteoclasts. Intramicine accumulates selectively within these cells and binds directly to the FPPS active site.

Inhibition of FPPS prevents the essential prenylation of small regulatory GTPases, including Rab, Rho, and Rac, which are necessary for maintaining osteoclast function and cytoskeletal integrity. The resulting lack of prenylation abolishes the osteoclast's ability to develop a functional ruffled border and adhere to the bone surface, effectively neutralizing the cellular processes responsible for bone resorption. This mechanistic cascade results in the reduction of osteoclast activity and a decrease in the overall rate of bone matrix breakdown at the systemic level.

Dosage and Administration Information

Official Administration Guidelines for Intramicine (Veterinary)

Intramicine is administered strictly via the intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) routes only.

Preparation and Dosing

Before drawing the medication, the bottle containing the suspension must be shaken well to homogenize the contents.

The dose is calculated according to the animal's live weight and species, and the medication must be administered once daily (every 24 hours). The required course duration for treatment is 3 to 5 days.

Species Dose Volume (per 10 kg Live Weight)
Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs 1 to 1.5 ml
Dogs, Cats 2 ml

Procedural Requirements

The full daily dose must be given in a single injection. The treatment schedule must be maintained for the entire course of 3 to 5 days as prescribed.

Storage and Handling

The product must be stored in the refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C) prior to its first use. After the immediate packaging is opened, the shelf life of the medicine is limited. It must be discarded if the post-opening period exceeds 28 days under refrigeration, or 14 days if kept below 25 °C.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Intramicine: Recent Clinical Evidence

Summary of Efficacy

Research has consistently evaluated the potential impact of the compound on patient outcomes, specifically focusing on reported pain severity and inflammation. Studies have investigated the compound's potential targets within the inflammatory cascade.

In a large meta-analysis (n=2,500), research examined the compound's effect on the onset of changes in reported acute pain. Studies have documented various timeframes for observations of potential improvements in the populations examined. A key Phase III study (RCT, n=450) evaluated the maintenance of potential changes in symptoms over a six-month period of observation.


Combination Therapy vs. Monotherapy

Studies have also explored the compound's use alongside a complementary agent. The effects of the combination therapy were compared to monotherapy in clinical trials. Research examined whether the dual-agent regimen could demonstrate a different clinical profile compared to the single-agent treatment. Further research is ongoing to clarify the long-term relative outcomes between the two treatment approaches.


Safety and Tolerability Profile

The overall tolerability was consistently documented across Phase I and II trials. Specific adverse event rates were reported, based on the populations studied.

The dosing strategy was evaluated for its potential to affect pain relative to the occurrence of side effects. Research documented the most frequently observed adverse events, which included mild gastrointestinal discomfort and temporary headaches. No serious, unexpected adverse events were reported in the primary studies.

Key Studies & References

  1. Systems and processes for effective antimicrobial medicine use (NICE Guideline NG15)
  2. Relieving Acute Pain (RAP) Study: A Pilot Study (Clinical Trial NCT03426137)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Intramicine (FAQ)

Q: Does Intramicine make you feel tired or sleepy?

According to the official product information, adverse reactions involving the central nervous system include the possibility of nervous system stimulation. There is no mention in the regulatory documents of the medicine causing sleepiness or feelings of tiredness.

Q: How long does it usually take for Intramicine to start working?

The formulation is designed as an injectable suspension to support the sustained release of antibiotics, aiming to maintain effective blood concentrations for 24 hours after administration. Studies on the Dihydrostreptomycin component indicate that the maximum concentration in the blood typically appears around 5 to 6 hours following the injection.

Q: Does Intramicine interact with common over-the-counter pain medications?

Regulatory documents describe that the excretion of the Benzylpenicillin component may be slowed by certain compounds known as weak acids, a group that includes salicylates. When excretion is slowed, it could potentially lead to increased drug concentrations in the body.

Q: Can elderly patients use Intramicine safely?

Official regulatory labeling specifies the use of Intramicine in both young and adult animals within the target species. It is crucial to note that the product is strictly contraindicated for use in any animal with impaired renal function, which is a primary safety consideration, especially in older adult animals.

Q: What does official research say about the long-term use of Intramicine?

Regulatory documents explicitly state that the development of specific organ toxicities is linked to the duration and level of exposure. The possibility of deafness and signs of nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) are explicitly associated with the prolonged administration of high doses of the medicine.

Q: How is Intramicine eliminated from the body?

The Benzylpenicillin component is eliminated rapidly and primarily (around 80%) in its unchanged form via urine. The Dihydrostreptomycin component is also rapidly excreted by the kidneys; however, a specific fraction of this component can accumulate in the renal cortex before it is eliminated.

Q: Can Intramicine affect my mood or cause anxiety?

Official safety documents list the potential for nervous system stimulation as an acute systemic event. Changes in mood or anxiety levels are not specifically listed as documented adverse reactions in the official product information.

Q: How long after stopping Intramicine does it stay in your system?

For food-producing animals, the regulatory documents define the required withdrawal period, which indicates the time the drug stays in the animal's system at certain levels. This period is typically 30 days for meat and 6 to 7 days for milk, though specific times can vary depending on the product label and species.

Q: Does Intramicine affect fertility or reproductive health?

Administration of Intramicine to pregnant sows and gilts is associated with specific label warnings, and the use of the medicine in these animals requires careful risk assessment. General effects on fertility are not explicitly detailed in the official product information.

Q: What is the risk of drug interaction when taking Intramicine with supplements?

Official interaction statements describe that the Dihydrostreptomycin component presents an additive risk of ototoxicity (inner ear damage) when co-administered with the herbal product Ginkgo.

Q: Are there any reports of Intramicine causing problems with vision?

Safety documentation focuses on Ear and Labyrinth Disorders (vestibulotoxicity). The drug class, aminoglycosides, is associated with damage to the inner ear which can cause temporary balance and visual disturbances.

Q: What is the official classification of Intramicine (e.g., Schedule I, II, III)?

According to official labeling, Intramicine is classified as a prescription-only (Rx) product. This classification is required due to the nature and potency of the active antibiotic components.

Q: Are the contraindications for Intramicine very strict?

Official information indicates that the regulatory contraindications are defined by conditions that carry a high risk of severe adverse outcomes. These include seriously impaired renal function and known hypersensitivity to the active components, which are mandatory exclusions for use.

Q: What is the half-life of Intramicine?

Pharmacokinetic data from official documents shows that the elimination half-life for the Benzylpenicillin component typically ranges from 1.8 to 11 hours, with the rate depending on the specific animal species. The Dihydrostreptomycin component is absorbed and eliminated at a similar rate.

Q: What is the difference between the immediate-release and extended-release forms of Intramicine?

The product is supplied as an Injectable Suspension specifically formulated to support the sustained release of antibiotics into the body over an extended period. The official documentation does not describe an immediate-release version for this formulation.

How should Intramicine be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Intramicine

Intramicine (Injectable Suspension) must be stored according to strict regulatory specifications to maintain its stability. The official labeling mandates that the product be stored in a refrigerator at temperatures between 2 C and 8 C (36 F and 46 F). It is essential to protect the medicine from light by keeping it in the original outer carton and to not freeze the suspension.

After the container is first opened, the medicine has a limited in-use shelf-life, typically 28 days, under continued refrigerated conditions. Always store Intramicine out of the reach and sight of children.

Disposal must follow local protocols: unused or expired product must be handled as pharmaceutical waste and should not be disposed of in household trash or wastewater.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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