Behavior Pharmacology

¶ … amoxicillan vs. penicillin for use in adults with strep throat. Consult at least five sources of information. Amoxicillan and Penicillan are both systemic antibacterials administered to adults for strep throat. This paper will examine the use of amoxicillan vs. penicillin in the treatment of strep throat in adults. To begin, amoxicillian is a penicillan derivative. Both have an extensive history of use and lack serious adverse events, although they do have some associated side effects. Penicillin still remains the drug of choice in the treatment of pharyngitis caused by GABHS.

It is inexpensive and well tolerated, reduces symptoms, and is the only antibiotic proven to prevent rheumatic fever. There is no resistance to penicillin among GABHS, and penicillin can be used in convenient regimens (500 mg orally 2 or 3 times daily). Despite being the drug of choice, the low and decreasing rate of penicillin use we noted from 17% in 1989 to 6% in 1999 is difficult to explain on clinical grounds. It seems unlikely there was an 11% absolute increase in the rate of penicillin allergy in the United States throughout the study period.

It is more likely that non-clinical factors, such as promotional efforts, were responsible for changes in antibiotic choice. Yet, more often than not, physicians today prescribe amoxicillin because the dosing is once a day as opposed to three times daily with penicillin -- and its just as effective. Plus amoxicillin is less expensive than other once a day dosing antibiotics. As a therapeutic category, penicillin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

There are several kinds of penicillin and each is used to treat different kinds of bacterial infections in many parts of the body. Phamacology - Amoxicillin Let's consider the clinical phamacology of amoxicillin. It is similar to ampicillian in its bacterial action against susceptible organisms during the stage of active multiplication. Its acts through the inhibition of biosynthesis of cell wall mucopeptide. Amoxicillian has been shown to be active against several strains of microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections.

Amoxicillin is stable in the presence of gastric acid and is rapidly absorbed after oral administration because it is readily dispersed into most body tissues and fluids, except brain and spinal fluid. Most of the amoxicillin is excreted in the urine unchanged and is approximately 20% protein-bound. About 1-2 hours after oral administration, the amoxicillin reaches peak blood levels. Chewable tablets achieved blood levels similar to those of corresponding doses of oral suspension amoxicillin. Amoxicillin kills bacteria by inhibiting the bacteria cell wall.

It's important to note that amoxicillin has a broader spectrum of antibacterial action than penicillin. Detectable serum levels are observed up to 8 hours after an orally administered dose, after which the amoxicillin is flushed out of the system. Phamacology - Penicillin V Since penicillin is the therapeutic category, we will consider penicillin V for comparison. Penicillin V is an improved form of penicillin and combines acid stability with rapid absorption. Penicillin V is an antibiotic used to fight off bacterial infection.

It acts by preventing bacteria from building protective walls around themselves while in the body, thereby allowing the body's immune defenses to eliminate them. As with any antibiotic, use of this medication should be under the supervision of a physician, and he or she can discuss with you what side effects you may need to be aware of. For Penicillin V, the typical side effect one sees is that of an allergy to the drug, which can be mild or severe.

Any past reaction to a penicillin - containing antibiotic, or any form of medication for that matter, should be reported to your physician so he or she can avoid prescribing them for you. The medication is rapidly cleared by the kidneys as fast as it is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The efficacy of penicillin is superior in killing bacteria and other microorganisms -- other antibiotics prevent the invaders from reproducing but penicillin destroys the cell walls.

Penicillin V is not active against the penicillinase-producing bacteria, which include many strains of staphylococci. The drug exerts high in vitro activity against staphylococci (except penicillinase-producing strains), streptococci (groups A, C, G, H, L, and M), and pneumococci. Other organisms susceptible in vitro to penicillin V areCorynebacterium diphtheriae, Bacillus anthracis, clostridia, Actinomyces bovis, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Listeria monocytogenes, Leptospira, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.Treponema pallidium is extremely susceptible. Penicillin V has the distinct advantage in being resistant to inactivation by gastric acid.

It may be given with meals; however, blood levels are slightly higher when the drug is given on an empty stomach. Average blood levels are 2 to 5 times higher than those following the same dose of oral penicillin G. And also show much less individual variation. Once absorbed, about 80% of penicillin V is bound to serum protein. Side Effects The most important side effect of any antibiotic can be a serious allergic reaction, although this usually occurs following injection of the drug.

This is generally common among people who have asthma, hay fever or other allergies. Other common side effects include upset stomach, rash, nausea, diarrhea, coated tongue and abdominal pain. Pseudomembranous colitis has also been reported and the seriousness can vary from mild to more critical. If diagnosed, appropriate measures should be taken. As with any drug, periodic testing should be done to check renal, hepatic and hematopoietic function. Also, high urine concentrations may results in false positive reactions hen testing for glucose in the urine.

If pregnant or breastfeeding, antibiotics can be passed into the breast.