What Are the Benefits and Effects of Penicillin?

Penicillin is a commonly used antibiotic with various administration methods, including oral administration, injection, and intravenous drip. As a broad-spectrum antibiotic, it exhibits excellent therapeutic effects against various bacterial infections. Clinically, it is employed in the treatment of numerous infectious diseases such as tonsillitis, otitis media, and urinary system infections. Its potential and benefits are indeed remarkable. Let's delve into the various aspects of penicillin's efficacy and functions:

1. Effective against Group A β-hemolytic streptococci: Penicillin G is a preferred drug for treating infections caused by Group A β-hemolytic streptococci, including pharyngitis, scarlet fever, cellulitis, septic arthritis, pneumonia, puerperal fever, and septicemia.

2. Infections caused by other streptococci: This includes respiratory infections, acute purulent meningitis, endocarditis, and septicemia caused by Group B β-hemolytic streptococci, viridans streptococci, and fecal streptococci. Streptococcus pneumoniae is highly sensitive to penicillin G, making it a first-choice treatment.

3. Meningitis caused by meningococci or other sensitive bacteria: Although penicillin G does not easily pass through the normal blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, its permeability increases when the meninges are inflamed, making high-dose treatment effective. The initial adult dose is 10 to 20 million units per day, administered intravenously in four divided doses.

4. Gonorrhea caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae: While Neisseria gonorrhoeae was originally sensitive to penicillin G, there has been a significant increase in drug-resistant strains in recent years. Therefore, the decision to use penicillin G and the treatment dosage should be based on sensitivity test results.

5. Syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum: Penicillin G remains the primary treatment for syphilis. High-dose penicillin G is recommended for the treatment of secondary and tertiary syphilis or severe primary cases, especially those with early central nervous system symptoms. A stable therapeutic effect can be achieved after 3 to 4 weeks of intravenous administration of 5 to 20 million units per day.