Penicillin on the trail

Evan,

Not sure where you are going with this. I'm not a physician but I have always been under the impression that penicillin is an antibiotic. Are you asking if it will be beneficial as an anti-inflammatory? As for penicillin reducing swelling, it won't but swelling can be a sign of infection.

Maybe I just did not understand your post?

Whenever I am going someplace where I will be away from good professional medical care (like a third-world country), I generally get my physician to prescribe some items. One item is a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Cipro or Bactrim, but they act more on the GI tract, which is where more concern was (for me). Penicillin could be a better choice for some specific thing like impacted wisdom teeth, and I'm guessing that you are 20-35 years old for that.

Why don't you ask your physician?
–B.G.–

Hey there-
yes I am 21 and the dentist says I may have problems with my wisdom teeth on the trail, which is why she gave me the prescription for Penicillin.
I was hoping I could use it as a general antibiotic on the trail as well- basically carry that, tylenol, stronger pain killers, and something for diarrhea for the pill section of my FAK.
I dont have a physician and cannot afford medical insurance, so its usually really expensive for me to go to the doctor. I try to go when traveling abroad because it is cheaper but will not be going abroad before the PCT. Otherwise I would definitely go there and ask.
Thanks!
Evan

Your best bet is to use the Penicillin just how it was prescribed, for a potential wisdom tooth problem.

If you get to third-world countries where serious viral water problems exist, you are better off getting medication specifically for that.

If you are backpacking domestically, then there isn't so much of a serious viral water problem. You can still get a little sick from simple stuff. That's why they invented Pepto-Bismol and Immodium.
–B.G.–

:) thanks Bob!
Gotta love the water we have here in the states.
Here's to not getting sick

Evan