Which medication is administered intramuscularly for managing Rheumatic fever?

Benzathine penicillin is the recommended medication administered intramuscularly for managing rheumatic fever. This antibiotic is particularly effective against Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus), the bacterium responsible for the initial throat infection that often leads to rheumatic fever. When given as a single intramuscular injection, benzathine penicillin provides sustained levels of the drug, which is crucial for preventing recurrence of rheumatic fever and its associated complications, such as carditis.

The intramuscular route ensures that the medication is released slowly into the bloodstream, maintaining therapeutic levels for an extended period. This is especially important in rheumatic fever management, as patients often require continuous prophylaxis to prevent reinfection and subsequent episodes of rheumatic fever, which could lead to serious cardiac involvement.

While other options like azithromycin, clindamycin, and amoxicillin are also antibiotics that could be used in various settings, they are not typically administered intramuscularly for the purpose of managing rheumatic fever. Azithromycin and amoxicillin are generally used orally, and clindamycin may be used for specific kinds of infections but does not have the same role in the prophylaxis of rheumatic fever. Thus, benz