Disadvantage of penicillin?

• A. Allergies and overuse
• B. High toxicity to human cells
• C. Broad-spectrum activity in all cases
• D. Inability to treat Gram-positive infections

Answer: (A)

Allergic reactions and the potential for resistance from overuse are the main drawbacks of penicillin. Some people have penicillin allergies that can range from mild rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis, and widespread antibiotic use drives the emergence of resistant bacteria, reducing penicillin’s effectiveness over time. Penicillin itself is not highly toxic to human cells, so saying it has high toxicity isn’t accurate. While there are broad-spectrum penicillins, their activity is not universal, and many organisms produce beta-lactamases that inactivate the drug. Additionally, penicillin is effective against many Gram-positive infections, so the idea that it cannot treat them is incorrect.