Is there an oral form of long-acting penicillin?
May 11, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Long-acting penicillin is generally not available in oral form. It belongs to injectable medications, usually referring to ampicillin sodium for injection, which currently only comes as an injectable formulation and cannot be administered orally. It is commonly used for treating diseases such as rheumatic fever, syphilis, and pneumonia. Oral administration is avoided because the drug can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing gastrointestinal discomfort, and because its efficacy when taken orally is poor.
Long-acting penicillin is generally not available in oral form. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Long-acting penicillin belongs to the class of injectable medications, usually referring to ampicillin sodium for injection. Currently, it is only available as an injectable formulation and cannot be administered orally. The primary target of this drug is streptococcus, a widely present bacterium that can cause significant harm to the human body; infections in different parts of the body may lead to various inflammatory conditions. Under medical guidance, patients can use long-acting penicillin to achieve effective treatment outcomes, commonly used for diseases such as rheumatic fever, syphilis, and pneumonia, helping to alleviate discomfort symptoms. Oral administration is generally not recommended because the medication may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing gastrointestinal discomfort, and its therapeutic effect when taken orally is poor.
When using long-acting penicillin, patients should ensure they do not have contraindications to the drug. If a patient is clearly allergic to penicillin, the drug must be avoided to prevent allergic reactions. During treatment, patients should get adequate rest and avoid alcohol consumption, which might interfere with treatment efficacy and delay recovery.
