PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Barker, Charlotte I AU - Germovsek, Eva AU - Sharland, Mike TI - What do I need to know about penicillin antibiotics? AID - 10.1136/archdischild-2015-309068 DP - 2017 Feb 01 TA - Archives of disease in childhood - Education & practice edition PG - 44--50 VI - 102 IP - 1 4099 - http://ep.bmj.com/content/102/1/44.short 4100 - http://ep.bmj.com/content/102/1/44.full SO - Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed2017 Feb 01; 102 AB - The penicillins remain the class of antibiotics most commonly prescribed to children worldwide. In an era when the risks posed by antimicrobial resistance are growing, an understanding of antibiotic pharmacology and how to apply these principles in clinical practice is increasingly important. This paper provides an overview of the pharmacology of penicillins, focusing on those aspects of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity that are clinically relevant in paediatric prescribing. Penicillin allergy is frequently reported but a detailed history of suspected adverse reactions is essential to identify whether a clinically relevant hypersensitivity reaction is likely or not. The importance of additional factors such as antibiotic palatability, concordance and stewardship are also discussed, highlighting their relevance to optimal prescribing of the penicillins for children.