Penicillins compared
Compare all 4 penicillins side by side, used for conditions such as actinomycosis, bites, human, chlamydia infections. Penicillins are the Penicillin-class Antibacterial class. They share one FDA-defined mechanism but differ in approved uses, prescription status, brand-vs-generic options, price, and FDA recall-safety record — which our independent rating scores. The highest-rated is amoxicillin.
Top-rated penicillin-class antibacterial: 1. Amoxicillin · 2. Amoxicillin Pediatric · 3. Bactocill in Plastic Container
| Drug | Generic | Form | Status | Used for | Safety ratingFDA recall-based | Pharmacy pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin | — | Capsule | Prescription | Actinomycosis, Bites, Human | 68/100 | $0 |
| Amoxicillin Pediatric | Amoxicillin | Suspension | Prescription | Actinomycosis, Bites, Human | 56/100 | $0 |
| Bactocill in Plastic Container | Oxacillin Sodium | Injectable | Prescription | Cellulitis, Endocarditis, Bacterial | Not yet rated | — |
| Nallpen in Plastic Container | Nafcillin Sodium | Injectable | Prescription | Cellulitis, Endocarditis, Bacterial | Not yet rated | — |
The safety rating column is unique to pharmaranks — an independent 0–100 score from FDA regulatory recall data. Higher is safer. Not medical advice.
Best penicillin-class antibacterial by condition
Full ranking · 4 drugs
- 168/100
amoxicillin
Amoxicillin
- 256/100
amoxicillin pediatric
Amoxicillin
- 3New
bactocill in plastic container
Oxacillin Sodium
- 4New
nallpen in plastic container
Nafcillin Sodium
Frequently asked questions
What is the Penicillin-class Antibacterial drug class?
Penicillin-class Antibacterial is an FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (EPC) — a group of drugs that share a mechanism of action. pharmaranks lists 4 Penicillin-class Antibacterial products, each independently rated.
Are all Penicillin-class Antibacterial drugs the same?
No. Penicillin-class Antibacterial drugs share the same core mechanism — that is why they sit in one FDA class — but they differ in their approved uses, available forms, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter, brand-vs-generic options and price, and their FDA recall-safety record.
Is "penicillins" the same as the Penicillin-class Antibacterial class?
Yes — "penicillins" is the everyday name for the Penicillin-class Antibacterial drug class. This page compares the 4 penicillins pharmaranks rates, with our independent FDA recall-safety score for each.
What conditions do Penicillin-class Antibacterial drugs treat?
Per NIH RxClass drug-classification data, Penicillin-class Antibacterial drugs are used for conditions including actinomycosis, bites, human, chlamydia infections, duodenal ulcer, listeriosis, lyme disease.
Which Penicillin-class Antibacterial drug is best-rated?
By our independent rating, amoxicillin currently ranks highest among Penicillin-class Antibacterial drugs. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data — always consult a professional.
Sources: the Penicillin-class Antibacterial class definition and its member drugs come from the U.S. NLM RxClass (Established Pharmacologic Class). Ratings are pharmaranks’ independent FDA recall-safety analysis.