Penicillins Sentence Examples
When a patient is allergic to the penicillins, either erythromycin may be given by mouth for streptobacillary infection or tetracycline by mouth for spirillary infection.
Anaphylaxis is most common in children who are allergic to penicillins and similar drugs.
Some drugs, including penicillins and sulfonamides, can cause delayed dermatologic allergic reactions.
Examples of penicillins are penicillin V (Beepen-VK, Pen-Vee K, V-cillin K, Veetids) and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Polymox, Trimox, Wymox).
Penicillins are sometimes combined with other ingredients called beta-lactamase inhibitors, which protect the penicillin from bacterial enzymes that may destroy it before it can do its work.
Penicillins are available only with a prescription.
Newer penicillins are resistant to stomach acid, such as penicillin V, or have a broader spectrum, such as ampicillin and amoxicillin.
Penicillins are useful against infections in many parts of the body, including the mouth and throat, skin and soft tissue, tonsils, heart, lungs, and ears.
However, since many bacteria are resistant to penicillin, it is often wise to do a culture and sensitivity test before using penicillins.
People who have been allergic to cephalosporins are likely to be allergic to penicillins.
AdvertisementMoreover, people with certain medical conditions or who are taking certain other medicines can have problems if they take penicillins.
Penicillins may cause false positive results on urine sugar tests for diabetes.
With some penicillins, particularly the broad spectrum products, there is a risk of increased growth of organisms that are not affected by penicillin.
Penicillins may also interact with many other medicines.
The list above does not include every drug that may interact with penicillins.
AdvertisementA physician or pharmacist should be consulted before a patient combines penicillins with any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicine.
Penicillins should be administered exactly as directed.
Different kinds of penicillins cannot be substituted for one another.
Beta-lactamase-An enzyme produced by some bacteria that destroys penicillins.
The penicillins can be further subdivided.
AdvertisementAminopenicillins such as ampicillin and amoxicillin have an extended spectrum of action compared with the natural penicillins; extended spectrum penicillins are effective against a wider range of bacteria.
Cephalosporins and the closely related cephamycins and carbapenems, like the penicillins, contain a beta-lactam chemical structure.
The fluoroquinolones, which are based on the older group, are broad-spectrum bactericidal drugs that are chemically unrelated to the penicillins or the cephalosporins.
Hypersensitivity to penicillins may be common, and cross allergenicity with cephalosporins has been reported.
Penicillins are classed as category B during pregnancy.
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