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Penicillin: Mechanism of Action, Side-Effects and Dosage

Penicillin is the naturally occurring β-lactam antibiotic, which is produced by molds and was discovered by Alexander Fleming (Nobel Prize 1945).

Mechanism of Action:

Penicillins inhibit the peptidoglycan synthesis of the bacterial wall: they bind to so-called penicillin-binding proteins (peptidoglycan synthetases) and thereby inhibit the polymerization of the peptidoglycan and covalent cross-linking of the bacterial wall.

Antibiotic Spectrum of Penicillin:

Penicillins have a bactericidal effect on streptococci, meningococci, pneumococci, diphtheria bacteria, and treponema pallidum. Gonococci became increasingly resistant to penicillin.

Urological Indications for Penicillin:

Treatment of syphilis with benzathine penicillin G, treatment of neurosyphilis with high-dose penicillin G i.v.

Pharmacokinetics of Penicillin:

Side Effects of Penicillin:

  • Allergy (0.5–2%), especially with repeated use. Very rarely severe cutaneous skin reactions.
  • At very high doses: neurotoxic reactions with epilepsy, inhibition of platelets, hemolytic anemia and neutropenia are possible.
  • Gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), pseudomembranous enterocolitis.
  • Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction caused by the treatment of syphilis: fever, muscle pain, and headache due to sudden pathogen decay under antibiotic therapy.
  • Dosage of penicillin:

    One million international units (IU) correspond to 600 mg of penicillin.






    Index: 1–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

    References

    Simon und Stille 1997 SIMON, C. ; STILLE, W.: Antibiotika-Therapie in Klinik und Praxis.
    9. Auflage.
    Stuttgart New York : Schattauer, 1997



      Deutsche Version: Pharmakologie und Nebenwirkungen von Penicillin

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