What do the G or V of Penicillin (as in Penicillin G or V) means? Where does it come from?

Question

I've been looking for that answer in several articles on the net, but none of them seems to tell why it was named as such.
i think i remember seeing somewhere that it was because several penicillin tryouts where made at a given moment, and a few ones, naming G, V, F or X worked (A, B, C, etc didnt work i think)...but, i dont know if thats true. is there a website i can find to look for an answer?? thanks in advance

Answer 1

Penicillin V is the ORAL form of Penicillin and is indicated for minor infections only. Because of its relatively poor bioavailability, the need for dosing four times a day and its narrow antibacterial spectrum, the antibiotic Amoxicillin is used instead.

On the other hand, Penicillin G is the IV form of Penicillin. Penicillin G is the drug of choice for infections caused by Streptococci, Meningococci, Enterococci, Penicillin-susceptible pneumococci, non beta-lactamase producing staphylococci, Treponema pallidum, Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium species, Actinomyces and other gram positive rods and non beta-lactamase producing gram negative anaerobic organisms. Penicillin G's effective doses usually range between 4 to 24 million units per day and administered IV (intravenously) in 4 to 6 divided doses.

Other forms of Penicillin G are Benzathine Penicillin and Procaine Penicillin. Benzathine Penicillin is satisfactory for the treatment of beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis (1.2 million units intramuscularly administered). Procaine Penicillin G is rarely used at present due to many strains that are resistant to it.

i hope this helped you!

Answer 2

u're qiut right....check it out...
http://www.yarchive.net/med/penicillin.html

where does it come from (look in the history part)
http://dictionary.laborlawtalk.com/Penicillin

Benzylpenicillin, commonly known as penicillin G, is the gold standard penicillin. Penicillin G is typically given by a parenteral route of administration because it is unstable to the hydrochloric acid of the stomach.
Phenoxymethylpenicillin, commonly known as penicillin V, is the orally-active form of penicillin. It is less active than benzylpenicillin, however, and is only appropriate in conditions where high tissue concentrations are not required.

Answer 3

The naming is for the same reason that we have "Preparation H". I can't help but feel sorry for the poor bastards that got Preparations A through G - I hoped that they survived... SQC

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SQC: Sitting Quietly Chuckling. I was not LOL or ROTFL. I was simply SQC