THE PENICILLINS: A REVIEW AND UPDATE
Abstract
The penicillin family is one of the most valuable groups of antibiotics in primary care. They are bacteriocidal, well distributed, and highly efficacious against susceptible organisms. Development of synthetic penicillins has both broadened the spectrum of activity and enhanced the efficacy of these medications. However, emergence of resistant bacterial strains has limited the usefulness of penicillins in recent years. Nonetheless, penicillins remain the drugs of choice for many mild, localized soft tissue infections and are particularly important in specific situations during pregnancy. History of penicillin allergy does not necessarily prohibit the use of penicillin. In patients with a self‐reported history of allergy, skin testing often fails to elicit signs of a true allergy to penicillin. Failure to prescribe penicillin for penicillin‐sensitive infections in these patients contributes to the development of bacterial resistance. This paper provides a review of the modes of action, spectrums of activity, adverse effects for the various classes of penicillin most often used in primary care and highlights clinical issues in managing women with penicillin allergy.
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There are no adequate studies to assess the effects of ceftriaxone in women with gestational syphilis.
“Regarding Ceftriaxone, there are no adequate studies to assess its effects in women with gestational syphilis 9.”
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- Authors
- Miller, E. L.
- Affiliations
- Arkansas State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Miller, Elissa Lane
- Venue
- Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2002-11-12
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 426-434
- ISSN
- 1526-9523 (ISSN-L)
- 1542-2011
- OpenAlex
- W2143497914
- Cited by
- 147
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Midwifery & Women s Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Antibiotics Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology › Antibiotic Use and Resistance
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Historical Medical Research and Treatments
- Keywords
- penicillin, antibiotic resistance, penicillin allergy, skin testing, soft tissue infection, pregnancy, adverse drug reactions, mechanism of action, spectrum of activity, primary care prescribing, bacterial resistance
- MeSH terms
- Anaphylaxis, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Cephalosporins, Cross Reactions, Drug Hypersensitivity, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Humans, Penicillanic Acid, Penicillins, beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
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