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Penicillin is an antibiotic whose use has revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases. It is a substance produced by brush fungus and has a strong bactericidal effect. A distinction is made between natural penicillins (e.g. Debecillin, V-cillin), semi-synthetic penicillins (e.g. methicillin, amino penicillins, carboxypenicillins) and penicillins in combination with ß-lactamase inhibitors (e.g. amoxicillin with clavulanic acid).
Penicillin – properties and action
Penicillin stops the bacterial wall from building up so that the bacteria cannot multiply and they die. Therefore, penicillins are used to treat bacterial diseases. Depending on the type of penicillin, they act on specific groups of diseases. Natural penicillins, which are mold products, mainly fight gram-positive bacteria, such as staphylococci, streptococci, anaerobic bacilli and pneumococci, and some gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, they act on such diseases as: angina, pneumonia, sinusitis, tonsillitis, purulent complications after surgery, syphilis, gonorrhea. They are also used in the prevention of rheumatic disease. Semi-synthetic penicillins fight streptococci, pneumococci, gonorrhea, bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, bacteria Escherichia Coli, Salmonella. Penicillins in combination with β-lactamase inhibitors have the broadest spectrum of antibacterial activity.
Also check: What complications can untreated angina have?
Penicillin – contraindications and the most common side effects
Penicillin can not be used in people who are hypersensitive to this group of antibiotics, and in people who are allergic to them. It is also contraindicated in case of allergy to cephalosporins, as cross-allergy may occur. Particular caution should be exercised in the case of allergic diseases, bronchial asthma, heart or kidney failure, as well as in people taking diuretics or potassium-containing drugs.
Like many antibiotics, penicillins can also have side effects. The most common are gastrointestinal complaints – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, colitis or even hepatitis. Rashes in the form of urticaria may also often appear, chills, joint pain and swelling may also occur. Anaphylactic shock has also been observed, so people who are hypersensitive to this antibiotic should not take it. Penicillin may cause cardiovascular discomfort: anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, coagulation disorders. On the part of the kidneys, nephropathy or interstitial nephritis may occur at high doses.
Penicillin – drug interactions
Penicillin may reduce the effect of oral contraceptives, so other methods of contraception should be considered when taking an antibiotic. In addition, it is not recommended for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as it may increase their concentration in the blood. It is not recommended to combine it with other antibiotics, especially from the group of tetracyclines, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol and others.
Penicillin – reviews
As with all other antibiotics, drugs, supplements, etc., there are many positive and negative opinions about penicillin antibiotics. The broad spectrum of penicillin’s antibacterial activity cannot be overestimated. There are opinions that penicillin should not be used during pregnancy, but the most important thing is the history before administration of the drug. Its conduct will allow the antibiotic to be adjusted to the age and disease of the patient so as to minimize the possibility of side effects of its use.