C PENICILLIN By Breagh Wright

Naturally Occurring? Synthesized? Penicillin is a naturally occurring chemical, and is found in the cultures of a mold called Penicillium notatum.

When and how was it discovered? Penicillin was discovered accidentally in 1929 by the doctor and researcher Alexander Fleming, at St. Mary's Hospital in London, England. He observed bacterial cultures in a petri dish contaminated by a mold that held the bacterial growth which was penicillin. He noticed that the penicillin prevented any other bacterial growth in the petri dish.

Uses of Penicillin Direct Uses: Penicillin is used as an antibiotic to treat different bacterial infections (ex. Chest infections, skin infections, urinary tract infections, etc.) Different forms of penicillin are: -ampicillin -amoxicillin -flucloxacillin -phenoxymethylpenicillin Other than being used for different antibiotics there are no indirect uses that were found.

Because penicillin is used so commonly as an antibiotic, it is being produced in mass quantities which keeps the price down compared to what it would be if we kept making it in small petri dishes. As years go on penicillin is used so often that our bodies are creating a resistance to the antibiotic which is causing the need for more “advanced” versions of the drug that would still have the same effect. This costs money and time.

Direct Risks…Indirect Risks Direct and Indirect risks include the side effects and reactions you could take from the drug when your body thinks it is a harmful chemical: Hives Rash Itchy skin Wheezing Swollen lips, tongue or face (angioedema) If you have an anaphylactic allergy to penicillin, you could react with: Difficulty breathing Wheezing Drop in blood pressure Swelling of the throat or tongue Dizziness Loss of consciousness Rapid or weak pulse

Direct and Indirect benefits… The main benefit of using penicillin is the fact that it fights of bacterial infections, and if you have a bacterial infection, you will get better. It is widely used and is very easy to come by if you need it. It is inexpensive because it is mass produced. It is non-toxic.

Alternatives to penicillin…. If you have an allergy to penicillin, but have a condition that needs to be treated the same way, some alternatives that treat some of the same things could be (keep in mind, that each of these have side effects as well): Cephalosporins Carbapenems Macrolides Vancomycin Bactrim

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