Trade names Veetids, others MedlinePlus a685015 Routes ofadministration by mouth | AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph | |
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Pregnancycategory US: B (No risk in non-human studies) | ||
Phenoxymethylpenicillin, also known as penicillin V, is an antibiotic useful for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections. Specifically it is used for the treatment of strep throat, otitis media, and cellulitis. It is also used to prevent rheumatic fever and to prevent infections follow removal of the spleen. It is given by mouth.
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Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. It is not recommended in those with a history of penicillin allergy. It is relatively safe for use during pregnancy. It is in the penicillin and beta lactam family of medications. It usually results in bacterial death.
Phenoxymethylpenicillin was first made in 1948. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. It is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 0.05 to 0.96 USD per day. In the United States a course of treatment costs less than 25 USD.
Medical uses
Specific indications for phenoxymethylpenicillin include:
Penicillin V is sometimes used in the treatment of odontogenic infections.
It is less active than benzylpenicillin (penicillin G) against Gram-negative bacteria. Phenoxymethylpenicillin has a range of antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria that is similar to that of benzylpenicillin and a similar mode of action, but it is substantially less active than benzylpenicillin against Gram-negative bacteria.
Phenoxymethylpenicillin is more acid-stable than benzylpenicillin, which allows it to be given orally.
Phenoxymethylpenicillin is usually used only for the treatment of mild to moderate infections, and not for severe or deep-seated infections since absorption can be unpredictable. Except for the treatment or prevention of infection with Streptococcus pyogenes (which is uniformly sensitive to penicillin), therapy should be guided by bacteriological studies (including sensitivity tests) and by clinical response. People treated initially with parenteral benzylpenicillin may continue treatment with phenoxymethylpenicillin by mouth once a satisfactory response has been obtained.
It is not active against beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, which include many strains of Staphylococci.
Adverse effects
Phenoxymethylpenicillin is usually well tolerated but may occasionally cause transient nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, diarrhea, constipation, acidic smell to urine and black hairy tongue. A previous hypersensitivity reaction to any penicillin is a contraindication.
Mechanism of action
It exerts a bactericidal action against penicillin-sensitive microorganisms during the stage of active multiplication. It acts by inhibiting the biosynthesis of cell-wall peptidoglycan.