Comparison of human serum, parotid and mixed saliva levels of phenoxymethylpenicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin and cephalexin.

1. A study has been made of serum, mixed and parotid salivary levels attained in normal volunteers following oral dosage of 500 mg phenoxymethylpenicillin tablets, 500 mg crushed phenoxymethylpenicillin tablets in capsules, 500 mg ampicillin, 500 mg cloxacillin and 500 mg cephalexin.2. High mixed saliva levels were obtained with phenoxymethylpenicillin tablets and it is considered that these were due to rapid intra-oral dissolution of surface powder from friable tablets. No saliva levels were detected when tablets from the same batch were put into capsules.3. Low or no saliva levels were achieved with ampicillin, cloxacillin and cephalexin.4. The mode of action of antibiotics in oral infections is discussed.