Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) vs Nitrofurantoin

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)

Data updated March 2026

Nitrofurantoin was dispensed 1.1× as often as Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) in March 2026 — 361,710 items versus 316,146 in England.

316,146items

Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

361,710items

Nitrofurantoin · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) versus Nitrofurantoin: national items dispensed by month

▬ Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) · ╌ Nitrofurantoin

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) versus Nitrofurantoin, March 2026
Measure	Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V)	Nitrofurantoin
Items, March 2026	316,146	361,710
Items, last 12 months	2,981,784	4,429,854
Net ingredient cost, March 2026	£659,506	£2,481,311