Penicillin V – What are the indications and contraindications?

Penicillin V is a bactericidal beta-lactam inhibitor, which acts by inhibiting the biosynthesis of cell-wall peptidoglycan and is the most common drug allergy of all. Penicillin V is given orally and has a similar range of antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria as Penicillin G, but it is substantially less active against Gram-negative bacteria. Penicillin drugs should not be used in conjunction with other antibiotics, and interfere with Digoxin and estrogens, which are normally activated by the gut flora.

Indications:

• Pneumococcal otitis media, upper respiratory tract infections and pneumonia
• Streptococcal upper respiratory tract infection and scarlet fever
• Streptococcal pharyngitis, tonsillitis
• Rheumatic fever
• Endocarditis
• Staphylococcal infection of the skin or subcutaneous tissue

Contraindications:

• Renal failure
• Concomitant use of other antibiotics (aminoglycosides, tetracyclines)

From a pharmacognosy perspective, Commiphora molmol, Echinacea spp., and Thymus vulgaris are broad spectrum antimicrobial herbs useful in treating various different infections. Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, Sambucus nigra, Sanguinaria canadensis, and Thymus vulgaris have an affinity for the respiratory tract and are beneficial in treating URTIs. Baptisia tinctoria, Eucalyptus globulus, Salvia officinalis, and Thuja occidentalis are also effective in treating pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

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This post was written by Omar Rifai