The Concentration of Penicillin V in Serum and Middle Ear Exudate in Acute Otitis Media in Children

Abstract

The concentrations of penicillin V were determined in the serum and in ear exudate from children with acute otitis media after oral administration of single doses of 13 mg (20,000 I.U.) and 26 mg (40,000 I.U.) per kg of body weight. The concentration in serum after administration of the smaller dose reached a maximum within 30 min, after which it decreased at a rate corresponding to a half time of 30–45 min. After the larger dose the concentration in serum was highest about 60 min after administration. The concentrations of penicillin V in the exudates after the larger dose reached such values that one might expect the drug to be effective also in most cases of acute otitis media due to Haemophilus influenzae. The method used in the investigation was a modification of the well diffusion method (agar well method) and allowed determination in samples down to a volume of about 0.03 ml. The standard deviation of the method was less than 10%.