Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) vs Cefalexin
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) was dispensed 3.3× as often as Cefalexin in May 2026 — 245,961 items versus 74,615 in England.
245,961items
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
74,615items
Cefalexin · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) versus Cefalexin: national items dispensed by month
▬ Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) · ╌ Cefalexin
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) | Cefalexin |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 245,961 | 74,615 |
| Items, last 12 months | 3,008,871 | 933,545 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £625,813 | £235,083 |
See the full profile for Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) or Cefalexin.