title: What do I need to know about penicillin antibiotics?
abstract: The penicillins remain the class of antibiotics most commonly prescribed to children worldwide. In an era when the risks posed by antimicrobial resistance are growing, an understanding of antibiotic pharmacology and how to apply these principles in clinical practice is increasingly important. This paper provides an overview of the pharmacology of penicillins, focusing on those aspects of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity that are clinically relevant in paediatric prescribing. Penicillin allergy is frequently reported but a detailed history of suspected adverse reactions is essential to identify whether a clinically relevant hypersensitivity reaction is likely or not. The importance of additional factors such as antibiotic palatability, concordance and stewardship are also discussed, highlighting their relevance to optimal prescribing of the penicillins for children.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, UK.|Inflammation, Infection and Rheumatology Section, Institute of Child Heath, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Charlotte I
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6757-5867
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.affiliation: Inflammation, Infection and Rheumatology Section, Institute of Child Heath, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Germovsek
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharland
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins
keywords: antimicrobial; beta-lactam; paediatric; pharmacokinetics; prescribe