What is Penicillin Used For?

Penicillin today, is a very important prescription drug, and was discovered by Alexander Fleming. He created the right environment for growth of Penicillium Notatum, which is a mold through which penicillin is extracted. The process involved growing this mold in shallow vats containing the nutrients that aided in the multiplication of this mold.

This process was referred to as 'deep fermentation', wherein sterilized air was continuously pumped through vats containing the concoction. Production leaped when corn steep liquor, which is a sticky by-product of corn, was added to the vats. This subsequently gave birth to the production of penicillin on a wide scale.

When Fleming was conducting an experiment to analyze the properties of Staphylococcus aureus, he observed that the colonies of these bacteria were destroyed in a culture that was contaminated with a mold from Penicillium genus. This proved the efficacy of penicillin as an antibacterial agent. Various studies that were conducted later proved its medicinal value.

Penicillin VK or Penicillin V Potassium is a drug that is now used to treat various infections. It is very effective against fungi, parasites and bacteria. Please consult a doctor for the dosage and check to see if you have any allergic reactions to penicillin before taking it.

• Infections in the heart cavity
• Rheumatic fever
• Respiratory tract infections
• Scarlet fever
• Dental infection
• Skin infection

It is advisable to take penicillin on an empty stomach, since it is better absorbed when one hasn't eaten. There are some side effects that can come into play, but one shouldn't panic nonetheless. Penicillin VK or Penicillin V Potassium Tablets USP, are taken orally in doses from 250mg - 500mg.

Ingredients present in the tablets are magnesium stearate, povidone, talc, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Dosage amounts can be as follows - 250 mg (contains 0.71 mEq [molar equivalent], which is 27.9 mpg of potassium) or 500 mg (contains 1.43 mEq which is 55.8 mg of potassium).

The phenoxymethyl analog of penicillin G is penicillin V.

The following information is on how to take the tablets based on the physical problems that one is facing.

Pneumococcal Infection: In a not so severe case, the respiratory tract is infected along with a problem of otitis media (middle ear inflammation); dosage of 250 - 500 mg (400,000 to 800,000 units) can be taken every six hours until the person overcomes feelings of being feverish for at least a period of two days.

Vincent's Infection: This includes an infection of the oropharynx (oral part of the pharynx). In a not so severe case a dosage of 250 - 500 mg (400,000 to 800,000 units) every six to eight hours, can be taken.

Rheumatic Fever/Chorea (Involuntary Movement Disorder): To prevent rheumatic fever from recurring a dosage of 125 - 250 mg (200,000 to 400,000 units) twice everyday, can be taken.

Streptococcal Infection: In a not so severe case, when the upper respiratory tract is infected, along with scarlet fever and erysipelas (skin infection), a dosage of 125 - 250 mg (200,000 to 400,000 units) every six to eight hours can be taken for about a period of ten days.

The aforementioned infections are what penicillin is prescribed for; use the right amount of dosages depending on the severity of your condition. Consulting a doctor on ways it is to be taken and how much is necessarily safe to ingest, is always the smart thing to do, instead of trying to be your own doctor.

Buffered Pfizerpen is a drug that has to be injected into a patient and can only be used if tests prove that the cause of the illness is due to bacterial presence. It is a pyrogen-free (substance that induces fever symptoms) powder and is also sterile.

For every million units there is approximately 6.8 mg of sodium which is 0.3 mEq, and 65.6 mg of potassium, which is 1.68 mEq. It is a colorless / white crystalline substance that is odorless and mildly hygroscopic (subject to changes when exposed to moisture in the air).

Common drug names for the same are Procaine Penicillin G, Aqueous Penicillin G and Benzathine Penicillin G.

• Penicillin G is prescribed when bacteria cause inflammation in the lungs, liver, muscle, bone, placenta and kidney. It has the ability to cure infections in pleural, peritoneal and middle ear cavities.

• It is used to treat meningitis (inflammation of meninges, layers that cover the brain and the spinal cord) and septicemia (blood poisoning).
• It is also used to treat severe pneumonia.
• It is also used to treat infection of the heart (bacterial endocarditis and pericarditis).

• It is used to prevent endocarditis in heart patients who are about to undergo a surgery.

• It is used to treat tertiary syphilis, anthrax, gonorrhea and ulcerative gingivitis.

Penicillin has its share of side effects that you must be on the lookout for. Your doctor will know if it is advisable that you continue with the medication or not.

• Black hairy tongue
• Fever
• Hives
• Stomach upset
• Anemia
• Nausea
• Skin eruptions
• Vomiting
• Pain in the throat
• Swelling in the throat

If Alexander Fleming hadn't been so observant, we probably wouldn't have had penicillin today as a medicine. Other doctors have aided in the discovery of penicillin and other sister antibiotics. Pay attention, as always, to signs and changes in your body, and use medicines only as directed / instructed by a trusted doctor.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.