Phenoxymethylpenicillin is a penicillin antibiotic used to prevent and treat mild to moderately severe infections in the respiratory tract, skin, and soft tissues. Phenoxymethylpenicillin is a narrow spectrum antibiotic also commonly referred to as Penicillin V or Penicillin VK. It is a phenoxymethyl analog of Penicillin G, or benzylpenicillin. An orally active naturally penicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin is used to treat mild to moderate infections in the respiratory tract, skin, and soft tissues caused by penicillin G¬-sensitive microorganisms. Phenoxymethylpenicillin has also be used in some cases as prophylaxis against susceptible organisms. Phenoxymethylpenicillin may be used for the treatment of: 1) mild to moderate infections of the upper respiratory tract, scarlet fever, and mild erysipelas caused by Streptococcus without bacteremia 2) Mild to moderately severe infections of the respiratory tract caused by Pneumococcus 3) Mild infections of the skin and soft tissues caused by penicillin G-sensitive Staphylococcus 4) Mild to moderately severe infections of the oropharynx caused by Fusospirochetosis, including Vincent’s gingivitis and pharyngitis, usually respond to oral penicillin therapy. It is used off-label as prophylaxis against bacterial endocarditis in patients with congenital heart disease or rheumatic or other acquired valvular heart disease when they undergo dental procedures and surgical procedures of the upper respiratory tract. Phenoxymethylpenicillin inhibits penicillin binding proteins. Penicillin binding proteins are responsible for glycosyltransferase and transpeptidase reactions that lead to cross-linking of D-alanine and D-aspartic acid in bacterial cell walls. Inhibition of this protein leads to upregulation of autolytic enzymes and inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Phenoxymethylpenicillin is bactericidal and therefore kills off the bacteria that it affects.

Phenoxymethylpenicillin Pathway (New) References