Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Production of Antibiotics

Production of Antibiotics

Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...

Drug Delivery: Enteral Route

Drug Delivery: Enteral Route

The enteral drug administration involves three primary routes: oral, sublingual, and buccal. Oral ingestion is the most prevalent, safe, economical, and convenient method for drug administration. However, it has certain drawbacks, including limited absorption due to the drug's low water solubility or poor membrane permeability, possible emesis from GI mucosa irritation, destruction of drugs by digestive enzymes or low gastric pH, and irregular absorption along with food or other drugs.
Drugs in...

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...

Acute Pharyngitis

Acute Pharyngitis

Introduction
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke·2026

Same author

Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke·2026

Same author

Subjective Memory Impairment in the General Adult Population: Associations With Early-Life Cognition, Concurrent Objective Memory, Dementia Risk Factors.

European journal of neurology·2026

Same author

Association Between Levels of the Acute Phase Proteins Alpha-1-Acid Glycoprotein and C-Reactive Protein and Serum Concentrations of Clozapine: A Study of 1106 Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Samples.

Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology·2026

Same author

Three-year adherence to secondary prevention and vascular risk control after ischemic stroke.

European stroke journal·2026

Same author

Written drug promotion from pharmaceutical companies to general practitioners: adherence to regulations over two decades.

European journal of clinical pharmacology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries

Published on: December 27, 2016

[Should penicillin be given on an empty stomach?].

Andreas Austgulen Westin¹, Rolf A Walstad, Olav Spigset

¹Avdeling for klinisk farmakologi, St. Olavs hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway. andreas.westin@legemidler.no

Tidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening : Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin, Ny Raekke

|December 24, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Penicillin does not require an empty stomach for optimal absorption. Focus on completing the full antibiotic course for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes.

More Related Videos

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii

Published on: January 2, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries

Published on: December 27, 2016

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii

Published on: January 2, 2017

Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Infectious Diseases
Drug Absorption

Context:

Traditional medical advice often recommends taking penicillin on an empty stomach to enhance absorption.
This recommendation is widespread in clinical practice and patient information leaflets.

Purpose:

To critically evaluate the scientific basis for recommending penicillin administration on an empty stomach.
To provide evidence-based guidance on penicillin dosing and patient management.

Summary:

Current pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data for penicillins do not substantiate the need for administration on an empty stomach.
Absorption of penicillin is not significantly impaired when taken with food.

Impact:

Revising current clinical guidelines regarding penicillin administration.
Improving patient adherence and treatment completion rates by simplifying medication instructions.
Reducing unnecessary patient anxiety or inconvenience associated with fasting.