Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
BRAND NAME: Veetids (Pen-Vee-K is no longer available in the U.S.)
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Penicillin V is an oral form of the antibiotic,
penicillin, that is used to treat bacterial infections. In 1928, Alexander
Fleming noted that mold belonging to the genus Penicillium inhibited the growth
of bacteria. Fleming called this unknown antibacterial substance penicillin. Ten
years later, a group at Oxford University began to investigate penicillin in
laboratory mice. Penicillin was hailed as a miracle drug and saved countless
lives in World War II.
Today, many derivatives of penicillin have been developed
which inhibit more types of bacteria than the original, life-saving drug.
Penicillin stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming
the walls that surround them. The walls are necessary to protect bacteria from
their environment and to keep the contents of the bacterial cell together.
Bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall. Penicillin is most effective when
bacteria are actively multiplying and forming cell walls. Penicillin itself is
active against Streptococci (including Streptococcus pneumoniae),
Listeria,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Clostridium, Peptococcus, and Peptostreptococcus. Most
staphylococci now are resistant to penicillin.
STORAGE: Tablets should be kept between 15 C (59 F) and 30 C (86 F). The
solution should be kept refrigerated and can be used for up to 14 days after it
is reconstituted by the pharmacist. It must be shaken before each use and should
be kept well-sealed.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Penicillin V is effective for treatment of laryngitis,
bronchitis, pneumonia, and soft tissue and skin infections caused by susceptible
bacteria. It also is used for preventing recurrence of
rheumatic fever and
chorea (a disorder of uncontrolled movement of the body). Only mild to moderate
infections are treated with oral penicillin V. Patients with more severe
infections are given penicillin by injection.
DOSING: The usual adult dose of penicillin V is 125 to 500 mg every 6-8
hours.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:Probenecid (Benemid) causes an increase in the level of
penicillin in the blood by reducing the elimination of penicillin by the
kidneys. In fact, sometimes probenecid is combined with penicillin so that a
smaller amount of penicillin results in higher blood levels.
PREGNANCY: Penicillin is considered safe during
pregnancy.
NURSING MOTHERS: Penicillin is excreted in breast milk and may cause diarrhea
or allergic responses in nursing infants. If penicillin is used while nursing,
the potential benefit of penicillin for the mother should be weighed against the
potential risk of side effects in the infant.
SIDE EFFECTS: Common side effects of penicillin V include nausea,
vomiting,
diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, and itching. Patients with a history of allergic
reactions to other penicillins should not receive penicillin V. Persons 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, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), and low platelet or
red blood cell count. Penicillins can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and
encourage overgrowth of some bacteria such as Clostridium difficile which causes
inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis). Patients who develop signs
of pseudomembranous colitis after starting penicillin (diarrhea, fever,
abdominal pain, and possibly shock) should contact their physician immediately.
Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs with consolidation. Pneumonia is frequently but not always due to infection. The infection may be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic. Symptoms may include fever, chills, cough with sputum production, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Strep throat is a sore throat caused by a bacterium called streptococcus (strep) that can be treated through antibiotics. Common symptoms of strep throat include pinkeye, runny nose, skin rash, cough, hoarseness, diarrhea and more. Complications of untreated strep throat include middle ear infections, meningitis, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and more.
Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchial passages become inflamed. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include frequent cough with mucus, lack of energy, wheezing, and possible fever. Treatment may require medication such as bronchial inhalers and predinsone. Supportive treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms with fever reducers, cough suppressants, and rest. Treatment may be more aggressive in patients with pre-existing conditions such as empyema, COPD, or cigarette smoking.
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, and is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon. C. difficile spores are found frequently in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, and nurseries for newborn infants. They can be found on bedpans, furniture, toilet seats, linens, telephones, stethoscopes, fingernails, rings, floors, infants' rooms, and diaper pails. They even can be carried by pets. Antibiotic-associated (C. difficile) colitis is an infection of the colon caused by C. difficile that occurs primarily among individuals who have been using antibiotics. Treatment for C. difficile colitis hydration, replenishment of electrolyte deficiencies, discontinuing the antibiotic that caused the colitis, and using antibiotics to eradicate the C. difficile bacterium.
Inflammation of the inner lining of the colon is referred to as colitis. Symptoms of the inflammation of the colon lining include diarrhea, pain, and blood in the stool. There are several causes of colitis including infection, ischemia of the colon, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, or microscopic colitis). Treatment depends on the cause of the colitis.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection is the most common type of infection acquired by patients while hospitalized. Patients at risk for VRE are those who are already ill, and hospitalized, including individuals with diabetes, elderly, ICU patients, kidney failure patients, or patients requiring catheters. Enterococci can survive for months in the digestive tract and female genital tract. Other risk factors for acquiring VRE include those how have been previously treated with vancomycin and combinations of other antibiotics. Treatment of VRE is generally with other antibiotics other than vancomycin. Prevention of VRE can be achieved by proper hand hygiene.
Group A streptococcal infections are caused by group A streptococcus, a bacteria that causes a variety of health problems, including strep throat, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas, and scarlet fever. There are more than 10 million group A strep infections each year.
Drug resistance (antimicrobial resistance) is the ability of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses to grow, even in the presence of a drug that would normally kill it (or limit it's growth). Drug resistance is a growing problem, particularly for infections such as MRSA, VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci), tuberculosis, HIV, STDs, gonorrhea, flu, pneumonia, malaria, E. coli, salmonella, Campylobacter, which causes diarrhea and gastroenteritis. Learn how to protect yourself from resistance to drugs.
Yaws is an infectious disease that mainly occurs in the tropical areas of South and Central America, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pertenue, which causes lesions that look like bumps on the skin of the feet, hands, face, and genital area. Yaws is treated with penicillin or another antibiotic.
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that is related to the
bacterium that cause tetanus and botulism. The
C. difficile bacterium has two
forms, an active, infectious form that cannot survive in the environment for
prolonged periods, and a nonactive, "noninfectious" form, called a spore, that
can survive in the environment for prolonged periods. Although spores cannot
cause infection directly, when they are ingested they transform into the active,
infectious form.
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