Brand Names and Formulations of Penicillin

Brand Names and Formulations of Penicillin

Penicillin, one of the oldest and most widely used classes of antibiotics, is available under various brand names and formulations. Understanding these different products is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure proper prescription and administration. Here's a comprehensive overview of penicillin brand names and their formulations:

Penicillin G (Benzylpenicillin):

Bicillin L-A (Pfizer): Long-acting intramuscular injection

Pfizerpen (Pfizer): Intravenous or intramuscular injection

<ol start=”2”>

Penicillin V (Phenoxymethylpenicillin):

Pen-Vee K (Pfizer): Oral tablets and solution

V-Cillin K (Eli Lilly): Oral tablets and solution (discontinued in some markets)

<ol start=”3”>

Amoxicillin (Aminopenicillin):

Amoxil (GlaxoSmithKline): Oral capsules, tablets, and suspension

Trimox (Teva Pharmaceuticals): Oral capsules and suspension

Moxatag (Pragma Pharmaceuticals): Extended-release tablets

<ol start=”4”>

Ampicillin:

Principen (Apothecon): Oral capsules and suspension

Omnipen (Wyeth): Intramuscular and intravenous injection (discontinued in some markets)

<ol start=”5”>

Nafcillin:

Nallpen (Sandoz): Intravenous injection

Unipen (Wyeth): Intramuscular and intravenous injection (discontinued in some markets)

<ol start=”6”>

Oxacillin:

Prostaphlin (Bristol-Myers Squibb): Intramuscular and intravenous injection

<ol start=”7”>

Dicloxacillin:

Dynapen (Bristol-Myers Squibb): Oral capsules

<ol start=”8”>

Piperacillin:

Pipracil (Wyeth): Intravenous injection (often combined with tazobactam as Zosyn)

<ol start=”9”>

Ticarcillin:

Ticar (GlaxoSmithKline): Intravenous injection (often combined with clavulanic acid as Timentin)

<ol start=”10”>

Combination Products:

Augmentin (GlaxoSmithKline): Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid

Unasyn (Pfizer): Ampicillin + Sulbactam

Zosyn (Pfizer): Piperacillin + Tazobactam

Key Points to Remember:

Generic Availability: Many of these brand-name products are also available as generics, which may be more cost-effective for patients.

Regional Variations: Brand names and availability can vary by country and region.

Formulation Differences: Different formulations (e.g., oral vs. injectable) may be more appropriate for certain infections or patient populations.

Spectrum of Activity: While all are penicillins, they have different spectrums of activity against various bacteria.

Resistance Patterns: Some formulations are more effective against penicillin-resistant strains.

Patient-Specific Factors: The choice between brands or formulations may depend on patient allergies, renal function, and other individual factors.

Drug Interactions: Different penicillin formulations may have varying interactions with other medications.

Cost Considerations: Brand-name products are often more expensive than their generic counterparts.

Storage Requirements: Some formulations, particularly injectable ones, may have specific storage requirements.

Dosing Schedules: The frequency of administration can vary between different penicillin products.

Healthcare providers should stay updated on the latest information regarding penicillin brand names and formulations, as pharmaceutical companies may introduce new products or discontinue existing ones. Always consult current drug references and local formularies for the most up-to-date information on availability and prescribing guidelines.