Penicillin vs. Methicillin — What's the Difference?

A broad-spectrum antibiotic for treating bacterial infections.

Designed to treat penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

It inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Introduced as a penicillinase-resistant antibiotic.

Revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections.

Represents the challenge of antibiotic resistance.

Known for its effectiveness against gram-positive bacteria.

Its use has been curtailed due to MRSA resistance.

Can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

Associated with nephrotoxicity.

Penicillins (P, PCN or PEN) are a group of antibiotics originally obtained from Penicillium moulds, principally P. chrysogenum and P. rubens. Most penicillins in clinical use are chemically synthesised from naturally-produced penicillins.

Methicillin, also known as meticillin, is a narrow-spectrum β-lactam antibiotic of the penicillin class. Meticillin was discovered in 1960.

An antibiotic drug obtained from molds especially of the genus Penicillium or produced synthetically, available in various preparations and usually used to treat infections caused by gram-positive bacteria.

A semisynthetic penicillin, C17H20N2O6S, formerly used in the form of its sodium salt to treat infections caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci.

Any of a group of broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs, synthetic or semisynthetic, that are derived from penicillin.

(pharmaceutical drug) meticillin.

(pharmaceutical drug) Any of a group of narrow-spectrum antibiotics obtained from Penicillium molds or synthesized, that have a beta-lactam structure and are active against gram-positive bacteria and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases.

Antibiotic drug of the penicillin family used in the treatment of certain staphylococcal infections

(mycology) A blue mold of the genus Penicillium that produces penicillin.

Any of a variety of substances having a structure containing a beta-lactam ring fused to a thiirane ring, to which a carboxyl group is attached, but most commonly interpreted as benzyl penicillin. They are notable as powerful antibacterial agents of relatively low toxicity which have found extensive use in medicine for treating bacterial infections. They are categorized as one of the classes of beta-lactam antibiotic. They are produced naturally by some fungi and bacteria, and industrial production processes almost invariably start from some form of the penicillin nucleus produced by fermentation of microorganisms. The fermentation products are then chemically modified to produce derivatives of enhanced potency, safety, or antibacterial spectrum. The first penicillin to see extensive use clinically (during World War II) was penicillin G, also called benzypenicillin, and commonly simply "penicillin".

Any of various antibiotics obtained from penicillium molds (or produced synthetically) and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases

Yes, individuals can be allergic to both penicillin and methicillin, with reactions ranging from mild to severe.

Penicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.

Methicillin is an antibiotic designed to treat infections caused by penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Yes, there are newer antibiotics available that are effective against MRSA.

Penicillin’s side effects mainly include allergic reactions.

Methicillin was developed in response to the increasing incidence of bacterial resistance to penicillin.

Penicillin has a broad spectrum of activity, while methicillin is more targeted towards penicillin-resistant bacteria.

The discovery of penicillin significantly reduced the mortality rate associated with bacterial infections.

Methicillin is no longer widely used due to the emergence of MRSA, which is resistant to this antibiotic.

Yes, penicillin remains effective against a wide range of bacterial infections.

Methicillin was developed to treat bacterial infections that had become resistant to penicillin.

Measures include using antibiotics judiciously and only when prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Methicillin’s use is associated with nephrotoxicity and allergic reactions.

The choice between penicillin and other antibiotics depends on the type of infection, presence of allergies, and potential resistance patterns.

Antibiotic resistance, especially MRSA, has limited the use of methicillin in treating bacterial infections.