Penicillin G route

Penicillin G route

• A. Parenteral (IM or IV)
• B. Oral
• C. Topical
• D. Inhalation

Answer: (A)

Penicillin G must be given parenterally because it is acid-labile and is destroyed by gastric acid. When taken by mouth, it would be inactivated in the stomach, leading to negligible absorption and no reliable systemic drug levels. Bypassing the stomach with intramuscular or intravenous administration allows the medication to reach effective concentrations in the bloodstream to treat infections. In contrast, the oral penicillin that is stable in acid is Penicillin V, not Penicillin G, which is why Penicillin G isn’t used orally. Topical and inhalation routes do not provide appropriate systemic exposure for treating most infections with Penicillin G.

Penicillin G must be given parenterally because it is acid-labile and is destroyed by gastric acid. When taken by mouth, it would be inactivated in the stomach, leading to negligible absorption and no reliable systemic drug levels. Bypassing the stomach with intramuscular or intravenous administration allows the medication to reach effective concentrations in the bloodstream to treat infections. In contrast, the oral penicillin that is stable in acid is Penicillin V, not Penicillin G, which is why Penicillin G isn’t used orally. Topical and inhalation routes do not provide appropriate systemic exposure for treating most infections with Penicillin G.