Bicillin L-A shortage continues, CDC says
The CDC says the Bicillin L-A shortage is still ongoing, and that matters because this is the preferred penicillin treatment for syphilis in pregnancy. Officials say limited supply should be preserved for pregnant patients whenever possible, while some areas may also use temporarily imported Lentocilin to help fill gaps.
The CDC says the Bicillin L-A shortage is still ongoing, and that matters because this medicine is the only FDA-approved benzathine penicillin G product in the United States and the recommended treatment for syphilis during pregnancy.
Health officials are urging clinics and health departments to preserve limited supply for pregnant patients while temporary imports and other shortage workarounds are used where available. Local access can still vary, so patients may hear different options depending on where they live and where they get care.
Why Bicillin L-A matters
Bicillin L-A is a long-acting penicillin used to treat syphilis. The CDC says penicillin given by injection is the preferred treatment for syphilis in all stages, and it is the only therapy with documented effectiveness during pregnancy.
That makes the shortage especially important for preventing congenital syphilis, which happens when infection passes from a pregnant person to a baby before birth.
What the CDC and FDA say now
In an April 23 update, the CDC said there is still limited availability of Bicillin L-A and an extended recovery timeline. The CDC also said the FDA has allowed temporary importation of Lentocilin, another benzathine penicillin G product, to help address current need.
The CDC’s latest update says the manufacturer extended the next delivery of some Bicillin L-A presentations to October 2026 and the anticipated recovery date to the fourth quarter of 2027. That means the supply problem is not expected to resolve quickly.
The FDA explains that drug shortages can happen for several reasons, including manufacturing problems, delays, and discontinuations, and that it works with manufacturers to reduce the impact of shortages.
Who is being prioritized
CDC guidance says jurisdictions should strongly consider preserving benzathine penicillin G for patients who are pregnant. The reason is simple: for syphilis in pregnancy, penicillin is the only recommended treatment.
CDC also says newborns exposed to syphilis in utero may need this medicine as part of congenital syphilis care. In practice, public health officials are trying to direct the limited supply first to the people who have the fewest safe alternatives.
Do not confuse Bicillin L-A with Bicillin C-R
The CDC warns that Bicillin L-A has a similar name to Bicillin C-R, but they are not interchangeable. The CDC says Bicillin C-R is not the standard product recommended in the United States for primary, secondary, and latent syphilis.
That warning matters because medication-name mix-ups can lead to the wrong treatment being given.
What readers can do
If you are being treated for syphilis and are told the usual medication is unavailable, ask your clinician or pharmacist what option they are recommending and why. Do not try to substitute one penicillin product for another on your own.
If you are pregnant or might be pregnant and have been told you need syphilis treatment, contact your care team promptly so they can help arrange the right medication. Delays can matter, especially when supply is tight.
If you are a patient, clinic, or health department facing a shortage, CDC says jurisdictions can report low inventories to its STD program so supply issues can be tracked.
What is still uncertain
The biggest unknown is how quickly Bicillin L-A supply will recover. The CDC and FDA have given updated recovery estimates, but local shortages may still differ by state, health system, or pharmacy.
For now, the most practical takeaway is that the shortage is ongoing, pregnant patients are being prioritized, and some places may rely on imported Lentocilin while officials continue to manage limited supply.
Sources
Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.
