Penicillin

- an antibiotic produced by various kinds of mold fungus. The phenomenon of antagonism of mold to the golden staphylococcus was discovered by Fleming. Evacuated from a culture fluid, pure penicillin chemically represents a compound consisting of two amino acids, i.e. By chemical structure is an acid and from it various salts (sodium, potassium, etc.) can be obtained. Benzylpenicillin (benzylpenicillin sodium salt) is the most active, chemically produced a number of compounds more stable and superior in its spectrum of action.
A characteristic feature of penicillin drugs is that they have a bactericidal effect on microbes that are in the growth stage - the young growing microorganisms are more sensitive to penicillin than the old ones. Preparations are ineffective against viruses (influenza, poliomyelitis, smallpox), mycobacteria tuberculosis, but they have very high chemotherapeutic activity for many cocci - strepto-staphylo-pepmo, etc. And the protein medium (blood, pus) does not prevent the development of antibacterial action of penicillins ( In contrast to sulfanilamides), i.e. Against pyogenic cocci. Therefore, penicillin is most successfully used in the treatment of sepsis, phlegmon, pneumonia, abscesses, peritonitis, meningitis.
Penicillin is secreted mainly by the kidneys, part is destroyed in the liver. Complications in the treatment of them are relatively rare, since it is low-toxic. But when using drugs that are not of high quality, headache, urticaria, and fever are possible. Allergic reactions have recently become more frequent, cases of anaphylactic shock with a fatal outcome have been described. In this regard, repeated treatment with penicillin should always be done with caution. In case of severe allergic reaction, adrenaline, antihistamines (diphenhydramine, diprazine), calcium chloride are used. Enzyme preparation penicillinase is used. In case of severe allergic reactions, prednisolone or other glucocorticosteroids are prescribed. In connection with the possibility of fungal lesions of mucous membranes and skin (due to suppression of normal intestinal flora), especially in newborns and the elderly, weakened, it is advisable to prescribe in the treatment of penicillin the vitamins of the group B, C, and, if necessary, nystatin.