Phenoxymethylpenicillin, commonly known as
penicillin V, is an
antibiotic useful for the treatment of a number of
bacterial infections. It is a
penicillin that is orally active. It is less active than
benzylpenicillin (penicillin G) against
Gram-negative bacteria. Phenoxymethylpenicillin is more acid-stable than benzylpenicillin, which allows it to be given orally. It exerts a bactericidal action against penicillin-sensitive microorganisms during the stage of active multiplication. It acts by
inhibiting the
biosynthesis of cell-wall
peptidoglycan. It is not active against
beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, which include many strains of
Staphylococci.
