The bioavailability of oral penicillin V. A comparative study of the absorption of different salts of penicillin V in children.

Different salts of penicillin V (pc-V): potassium pc-V (Calciopen and Kåvepenin), calcium pc-V (Penicals) and benzathine pc-V (Meropenin) were given to 37 children (age 2 months to 4 years) with upper respiratory infections. The gastro-intestinal absorption of the drug given in a mixture was followed for three hours after administration by determination of the serum levels from capillary samples. Administration of the mixtures containing the potassium pc-V resulted in a more rapid absorption and in significantly higher plasma concentrations at 30 min than did administration of the preparations containing the calcium and benzathine salts. In four children with coeliac disease, verified by intestinal biopsy, the absorption of potassium pc-V (Calciopen) was compared with that of calcium pc-V (Penicals). A decreased absorption was found and this was most pronounced when the calcium salt was given.