Penicillin G is never given by which route?

Penicillin G is never given by which route?

• A. Per os
• B. Intravenous
• C. Intramuscular
• D. Subcutaneous

Answer: (A)

Penicillin G is acid-labile, meaning it is destroyed by stomach acid and is poorly absorbed when given by mouth. This makes oral administration unreliable for achieving therapeutic blood levels, so it is never given per os. To treat infections effectively, Penicillin G is administered parenterally—usually intravenously for rapid, reliable levels or intramuscularly for certain indications. In contrast, penicillin V is the oral form that can be used when an oral route is acceptable because it remains stable in gastric acid and is absorbed better.

Penicillin G is acid-labile, meaning it is destroyed by stomach acid and is poorly absorbed when given by mouth. This makes oral administration unreliable for achieving therapeutic blood levels, so it is never given per os. To treat infections effectively, Penicillin G is administered parenterally—usually intravenously for rapid, reliable levels or intramuscularly for certain indications. In contrast, penicillin V is the oral form that can be used when an oral route is acceptable because it remains stable in gastric acid and is absorbed better.