Penicillin discovery is a real turning point in medicine. Doctors finally got the most effective tool to fight against bacterial infections.
Despite the fact that penicillin was discovered 90 years ago, it still remains an essential medicine. It is highly effective against gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative bacteria.
Medical definition of penicillin: any antibiotic derived from penicillium molds. Natural types of this medicine include:
- Penicillin V
- Penicillin N
- Penicillin G
- Penicillin O
- Penicillin K.
Market offers a variety of synthetic analogues, for example Piperacillin, Amoxicillin or Ampicillin. Different doses of these medicines are used in different ways.
Patient, who is prescribed Penicillin, uses it either orally, or intramuscularly, or intravenously, depending on the recommendations for use. Penicillin dosage depends on such conditions, as:
- Dosage form
- Severity of infection
- Duration of symptoms
- Patient’s age.
The duration of therapy can vary considerably. Either way, you must complete the entire treatment course. Do not stop using the antibiotic, even if the infection symptoms have completely disappeared.
It is believed that penicillin often causes allergic reactions, though many experts dispute this opinion. Whatever the case, you should be aware of the symptoms of allergy to penicillin:
- Cough
- Dyspnea
- Rash
- Itching
- Swelling of the skin
- Breathing problems.
A skin test is the best way to find out whether you are allergic to penicillin or not. This procedure takes about an hour.
Penicillin is a medicine. Don’t confuse it with Penicillin cocktail. This cocktail is often referred to as the “surefire cure for a chilly autumn night”, but it does not contain any drugs. It is just a combination of whiskey, ginger and lemon juice. It provides a soothing and warming effect.