Question 1

what is penicillin?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic: Penicillin is one of the first antibiotic ever developed to treat infection.  Unfortunately, due to it's widespread and indiscriminate use, many bacteria became resistant to this great antibiotic.   
Today we still use it to treat many different types of infection caused by bacteria sensitive to penicillin.

Question 2

when does someone get penicillin?

Accepted Answer

Penicillin: is used to treat bacterial infections when the organism is  susceptible to it.

Question 3

can you dink while taking penicillin?

Accepted Answer

Yes: No problem taking penicillin class antibiotics with alcohol but keep it in moderation.  If you have a significant infection it would be best to abstain until the infection has resolved.

Question 4

what drugs has penicillin resulted in?

Accepted Answer

Virtually all!: All modern antibiotics were developed based on the success of Penicillin, but they are not all considered the same class as penicillin.

Question 5

how long is a shot of penicillin good?

Accepted Answer

Penicllin: It depends upon the kind of penicillin.  Regular penicillin (given iv) has a half life of only 1-2 hours but intramuscular penicillin types last longer.  Procaine penicillin for 1-2 days and benzathine penicillin for about 3 weeks.

Question 6

what do the g and v of penicillin mean?

Accepted Answer

Different types : Penicillin g can be used orally, IV or as an injection. Penicillin v is a different form and is used orally.

Question 7

is it bad to be allergic to penicillin?

Accepted Answer

Yes and No: To be allergic to a medication will restrict the use of that medication - thats the bad part. However, typically there are other medications that can be used if needed and if the one medication one os allergic to is really needed there are ways to administer that medication.

Question 8

is doxicycicline a penicillin derivative?

Accepted Answer

No: They're not related.

Question 9

what is penicillin usually prescribed for?

Accepted Answer

Infection: Any infection that is susceptible to it. In recent history, penicillin is used either for strep infections or syphilis.

Question 10

what is penicillin and what does it treat?

Accepted Answer

Penicillin is an: antibiotic and it treats bacterial infections.

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How long is a shot of penicillin good?

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What is penicillin and what does it treat?

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