Why is methicillin not given orally?
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3 min read
First introduced in 1959, methicillin was a revolutionary semi-synthetic penicillin created to combat infections from penicillinase-producing bacteria, like *Staphylococcus aureus*. However, this vital drug was never manufactured for oral use because it is rapidly and extensively destroyed by gastric acid, making it ineffective if swallowed.
