What type of penicillin is suitable for oral administration?

Penicillin V is specifically designed for oral administration due to its stability in acidic environments, such as the stomach. This characteristic allows it to maintain its antimicrobial activity after being ingested. Penicillin V is a phenoxy derivative of penicillin that is more suitable for oral use compared to Penicillin G, which is easily degraded by stomach acid and is therefore given via injection.

In addition, while ampicillin can also be taken orally, it is less optimal than Penicillin V for general outpatient use because it is more commonly used parenterally and has a broader spectrum of activity, which is not necessary for all infections typically treated with oral penicillins. Clavulanic acid, on the other hand, is not a penicillin itself but a beta-lactamase inhibitor that is used in combination with certain penicillins to enhance their effectiveness against resistant bacteria; thus, it is not an appropriate choice on its own for oral administration as an antimicrobial treatment.