Penicillin v

Gastro-resistant, non-betalactamase-resistant betalactam antibiotic(penicillin) with good efficacy against gram-positive germs. Penicillin V was introduced in 1953 as the first acid-stable penicillin suitable for oral administration.

The mechanism of action of phenoxymethylpenicillin, as with all penicillins, is based on an inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis (in the growth phase) by blocking the penicillin-binding proteins. This results in a bactericidal effect.

Usually sensitive species:

Aerobic Gram-positive microorganisms

Actinomyces israelii

corynebacterium diphtheriae

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

gardnerella vaginalis

streptococcus agalactiae

streptococcus pneumoniae

streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis

(Streptococci groups C and G)

Streptococci of the "Viridans" group

Aerobic Gram-negative microorganisms

Borrelia burgdorferi

Eikenella corrodens

Haemophilus influenzae

Anaerobic microorganisms

Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium tetani

Fusobacterium spp.

Peptoniphilus spp.

Peptostreptococcus spp.

Veillonella parvula

Other microorganisms

treponema pallidum

• Adults and children over 12 years: 1,5-8 mio IU/day p.o. in 3 ED.
• Children 6-12 years: 40-60.000 IU/kg KG 3 times/day p.o.
• Children 1-5 years: 15-20.000 IU/kg KG 3 times/day.
• Infants: 15-20.000 IU/kg KG 3 times/day.

With proven sensitivity, penicillin V has a 10 to 100 times stronger effect against staphylococci than staphylococci penicillins.

Due to its acid stability, phenoxymethylpenicillin is absorbed in the upper sections of the small intestine after largely loss-free passage through the stomach. The resorption rate is about 60%. The extent of absorption also depends on the galenic form. Solid dosage forms are less problematic than granulates for the preparation of a solution/suspension.

1 mg phenoxymethylpenicillin corresponds to 1695 I.U.

1. Wright GD (2007) Biochemistry. A new target for antibiotic development. Science 315: 1373-1374