History
- Penicillins were originally isolated from Penicillium mold
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
- β-Lactam Antibiotic (see β-Lactam Antibiotics, [[β-Lactam Antibiotics]]): inhibit the formation of peptidoglycan cross-links in the bacterial cell wall
- Four-membered β-lactam ring of penicillin binds to the DD-transpeptidase enzyme
Classes of Penicillins
Natural Penicillins
- Benzathine Penicillin
- Penicillin G (Benzylpenicillin) (see Penicillin G, [[Penicillin G]])
- Penicillin V (Veetids) (see Penicillin V, [[Penicillin V]])
- Procaine Penicillin
Penicillinase-Resistant Penicillins
- Cloxacillin
- Dicloxacillin (see Dicloxacillin, [[Dicloxacillin]])
- Flucloxacillin (Floxapen, Staphylex, Softapen, Flubex, Flupen)
- Methicillin (see Methicillin, [[Methicillin]])
- Nafcillin (see Nafcillin, [[Nafcillin]])
- Oxacillin (see Oxacillin, [[Oxacillin]])
Aminopenicillins
- General Comments
- Vulnerable to inactivation by β-lactamases
- Amoxacillin (see Amoxacillin, [[Amoxacillin]]): due to potential inactivation by β-lactamases, usually used in a formulation with a β-lactamase inhibitor (like clavulanic acid)
- Ampicillin (see Ampicillin, [[Ampicillin]]): due to potential inactivation by β-lactamases, usually used in a formulation with a β-lactamase inhibitor (like sulbactam)
- Bacampicillin
Extended-Spectrum/Anti-Pseudomonal Penicillins
- General Comments
- Have activity against many gram-negative organisms of the Enterobacteriaceae family (including Pseudomonas aeruginosa)
- Vulnerable to inactivation by β-lactamases
- Acylaminopenicillins
- Azlocillin
- Mezlocillin
- Piperacillin: due to potential inactivation by β-lactamases, usually used in a formulation with a β-lactamase inhibitor (like tazobactam)
- Alpha-Carboxypenicillins
- Carbenicillin
- Ticarcillin: due to potential inactivation by β-lactamases, usually used in a formulation with a β-lactamase inhibitor (like clavulanic acid)
Adverse Effects
Pulmonary Adverse Effects
Dermatologic Adverse Effects
Other Adverse Effects
References