Penicillins-injection

Today, many derivatives of penicillin have been developed that inhibit more types of bacteria than the original life-saving drug. Penicillin itself is active against

• streptococci (including Streptococcus pneumoniae),
• Listeria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae,
• Clostridium,
• Peptococcus, and
• Peptostreptococcus.

However, most staphylococci now are resistant to penicillin.

Other penicillin antibiotics are effective against

• H. influenzae,
• E. coli, pneumococci,
• certain strains of staphylococci,
• Salmonella,
• Shigella,
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and
• many other types of bacteria.

Penicillin antibiotics are used to treat many types of infections caused by susceptible bacteria. They are used to treat infections of the middle ear, sinuses, stomach and intestines, bladder, and kidney. They also are used for treating

• pneumonia,
• blood infections (sepsis),
• uncomplicated gonorrhea,
• meningitis,
• endocarditis, and
• other serious infections.

• penicillin V
• penicillin G (Pfizerpen, Permapen)
• amoxicillin (Amoxil)
• amoxicillin/clavulonate (Augmentin)
• ampicillin (Unasyn)
• nafcillin (Nallpen)
• oxacillin (Bactocill)
• dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen are discontinued brands in the US; generic is available)
• cloxacillin (discontinued in the US)
• piperacillin (Pipracil)
• piperacillin/tazobactam (Zosyn)
• ticarcillin (Ticar) (Discontinued in the US; ; generic is not available))
• ticarcillin/clavulonate (Timentin) (Discontinued in the US and a generic is not available.)

Side effects of penicillin antibiotics include

• diarrhea,
• dizziness,
• heartburn,
• insomnia,
• nausea,
• itching,
• vomiting,
• confusion,
• abdominal pain,
• easy bruising,
• bleeding,
• rash, and
• allergic reactions.

Individuals who are allergic to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics, which are related to the penicillins, for example, cefaclor (Ceclor), cephalexin (Keflex), and cefprozil (Cefzil), may or may not be allergic to penicillins.

Serious but rare reactions include

• seizures,
• kidney problems,
• oral fungal infections,
• severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), and
• low blood platelet levels (thrombocytopenia) or red blood cell count.

Like other antibiotics, penicillin antibiotics can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and encourage overgrowth of some bacteria such as Clostridium difficile, which causes inflammation of the colon (C. difficile colitis or pseudomembranous colitis).

Signs and symptoms of C. difficile colitis include

• diarrhea,
• fever,
• abdominal pain, and
• possibly shock.

• Penicillin antibiotics are considered safe to use during pregnancy.
• Although small amounts of penicillins pass into breast milk they are considered safe to use while breastfeeding.