Phenoxymethylpenicillin

Streptococcal pharyngitis (sore throat), tonsillitis, scarlet fever, mild cellulitis, rheumatic fever prophylaxis, and post-splenectomy prophylaxis.

Phenoxymethylpenicillin kills bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. It’s the oral form of benzylpenicillin, effective primarily against streptococci and other gram-positive organisms. Streptococcus pyogenes has never developed penicillin resistance, making it reliably effective.

Adults and children with streptococcal infections. Not suitable if you have penicillin allergy. Must be taken four times daily (poor compliance can be an issue). Must be taken on an empty stomach.

Order online and we review your request. A prescriber checks your consultation form for clinical appropriateness and contacts you if anything else is needed. Once approved, your medication is dispensed and delivered to your door.

Tracked: Tracked delivery, arrives tomorrow - Free

When it arrives: Every order is sent tracked. Where this page says in post today, it goes out today. Where it says in post tomorrow, it goes out the next working day. On the rare occasions a medicine is unavailable, we will contact you to talk about timing and alternatives.

We dispense clinically equivalent generic medications where available. Prices shown are for the generic version. If you prefer the branded version, let us know in your order form and we will confirm any price difference.

Phenoxymethylpenicillin from £20.99 per course.

Common: diarrhoea, nausea, rash, abdominal discomfort. Amoxicillin/co-amoxiclav: common rash (especially with viral infections). Metronidazole: metallic taste, nausea. Doxycycline: photosensitivity, oesophageal irritation. Rare but serious: Clostridium difficile colitis (persistent diarrhoea), anaphylaxis (penicillins), tendon damage (ciprofloxacin).

Penicillin allergy: do not take amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav, or flucloxacillin. Ciprofloxacin: avoid in tendon disorders, epilepsy, myasthenia gravis. Metronidazole: avoid alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours after. Doxycycline: avoid in children under 12 (teeth staining).

Metronidazole: severe reaction with alcohol (disulfiram-like). Warfarin: many antibiotics alter INR - more frequent monitoring needed. Ciprofloxacin: avoid dairy, calcium, iron, and antacids within 2 hours. Oral contraceptives: no evidence that most antibiotics reduce efficacy (except rifampicin).

Penicillins (amoxicillin, flucloxacillin): generally considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Metronidazole: avoid in 1st trimester if possible. Doxycycline/lymecycline: contraindicated in pregnancy (teeth/bone effects). Ciprofloxacin: avoid (joint cartilage risk). Nitrofurantoin: avoid at term (neonatal haemolysis). Trimethoprim: avoid in 1st trimester (folate antagonist).

Take on an empty stomach (30-60 minutes before food) four times daily for 5-10 days. The four-times-daily dosing and empty stomach requirement make it less convenient than amoxicillin, but it’s the recommended first-line for strep throat. Complete the full course to prevent rheumatic fever. Mild GI side effects. Tell your doctor about penicillin allergies.