Introduction
Illustrated mechanism of action
Examples of Medication Brand Names (with Images)
Indication
Side Effects
Precautions & Contraindications
Monographs
Reference

welcome

Welcome to a world where science meets miracles. Penicillin — the life-saving breakthrough that changed medicine forever. Dive in and explore the story behind the antibiotic that started it all!

Introduction

Penicillin is one of the most commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotics globally and has numerous clinical indications. Penicillin is effective against infections caused by gram-positive cocci, gram-positive rods, most anaerobes, and gram-negative cocci.

Penicillin is one of the earliest discovered and widely used beta-lactam antibiotics, first identified by Alexander Fleming in 1928. It was the first true antibiotic, revolutionizing the treatment of bacterial infections.

Penicillin belongs to the beta-lactam family, characterized by the presence of a beta-lactam ring in their structure.

These antibiotics are bactericidal, meaning they kill bacteria rather than merely inhibiting their growth.

Penicillins may be used to treat a wide range of infections caused by susceptible bacteria, such as:

Dental abscess

Ear infections (eg, otitis media)

Gonorrhea

Pneumonia

Respiratory tract infections

Rheumatic fever

Scarlet fever

Skin infections

Urinary tract infections.

mechanism of action

Penicillin is a widely used bactericidal antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Here are the key points about its mechanism of action

Penicillin binds to and inhibits transpeptidases, which are responsible for cross-linking the peptidoglycan strands in bacterial cell walls.

The beta-lactam ring is essential for its mechanism of action as it is structurally similar to the D-Ala-D-Ala portion of the peptidoglycan precursors, allowing it to bind to transpeptidases.

By inhibiting transpeptidases, penicillin prevents the formation of new peptidoglycan cross-links, resulting in weakened cell walls that are unable to withstand the osmotic pressure of the bacterial cell. This leads to cell lysis and death.

Amoxicillin

Brand Names: Amoxil, Moxatag

Form: Capsules and tablets

Common Uses: Effective against a broader range of bacterial infections, including ear infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium

Brand Name: Augmentin
Form: Tablets and oral suspension
Common Uses: Combines amoxicillin with clavulanate to overcome antibiotic resistance, used for sinusitis, pneumonia, and infections of the skin

Ampicillin

Brand Names: Principen (discontinued in some regions)
Form: Capsules and injectable forms
Common Uses: Treats respiratory tract infections, meningitis, and urinary tract infections.

Dicloxacillin

Brand Names: Dynapen
Form: Capsules
Common Uses: Used to treat infections caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci.

Medication Brand Names

Cefpodoxime Proxetil Tablets - Rapid Absorption formula

Indication of Penicillin

Penicillin is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, especially those caused by Gram-positive organisms. It’s effective against some Gram-negative bacteria and anaerobes, depending on the type.

1. Streptococcal Infections

Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat)

Scarlet fever

Skin infections like impetigo and cellulitis

2. Pneumococcal Infections

Community-acquired pneumonia (caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae)

Sinusitis

Otitis media

3. Syphilis

Penicillin G is the drug of choice for all stages of syphilis, including congenital and neurosyphilis.

4. Rheumatic Fever

Used for prophylaxis (prevention of recurrence) in patients with a history of rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease.

5. Meningitis

Caused by Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Penicillin G used in sensitive strains)

6. Endocarditis

Treatment of infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus viridans or Enterococcus (often combined with aminoglycosides)

7. Dental Infections

Used to treat abscesses and oral infections involving anaerobes and streptococci.

8. Actinomycosis

Chronic infection caused by Actinomyces israelii.

9. Anthrax

Penicillin can be used in treating Bacillus anthracis in sensitive strains

The most common side effects of penicillin antibiotics include:

1.Nausea

2.Upset stomach

3.Diarrhea

4.Vomiting

5.Mild rashes

6.Taste changes

Many people believe that they are allergic to penicillin. However, true penicillin allergy is rare, and only occurs in 0.01-0.05% of people who take penicillin. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, itchy skin, rash, wheezing, swelling around the throat, and respiratory collapse.

Contraindications of penicillin:

Penicillin is generally safe, but it has specific contraindications where it should not be used or used with caution:

1. Known Hypersensitivity to Penicillin

Absolute contraindication.

Includes mild (rash) to severe (anaphylaxis) allergic reactions.

Cross-reactivity may occur with other beta-lactams like cephalosporins.

2. Previous Anaphylactic Reaction to Any Beta-Lactam Antibiotic

Penicillin must be strictly avoided.

Alternatives like macrolides (e.g., azithromycin) or clindamycin may be used instead.

3. Severe Renal Impairment

Dose adjustment is required.

Accumulation of the drug can increase risk of neurotoxicity (e.g., seizures).

4. Seizure Disorders

High doses of penicillin (especially IV Penicillin G) may lower the seizure threshold.

5. Infectious Mononucleosis

Use of ampicillin or amoxicillin in patients with Epstein-Barr virus infection (mono) often leads to a non-allergic rash.

Not a true contraindication, but an important clinical consideration.

precautions

Keep penicillin out of the reach of children. Penicillin oral liquid should be kept in a refrigerator. Take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator. When taking penicillin liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose.

Monographs

mayar ahmed.pdf

Mayar Ahmed

Drug monograph.pdf.pdf

Nada Elmazny

Drug monograph menna (1).pdf

Menna Mahmoud

DOC-20250322-WA0084..pdf

Shahd Mohamed

DOC-20250321-WA0015._20250324_171144_٠٠٠٠.pdf

Lara Alaa

Drug Monograph.pdf

Nada Walled

Drug monograph.pdf

Nada Elsayed

Monogragh _250409_004400.pdf

Shahd Ayman

activity basic pharma (4).pdf

Mohamed Ali

DOC-20250322-WA0117..pdf

Nancy Ahmed

Drug%20monograph%20new.pdf

Sama Abdelrazik

pharma activity 1 final.pdf

Nada Mokhtar

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