Penicillin G potassium

Generic name: Penicillin G Potassium
Brand names: Pfizerpen
Drug class: Natural penicillins

Usage of Penicillin G potassium

Penicillin G potassium is a fast-acting antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body.

Penicillin G potassium is used to treat many different types of severe infections, including strep and staph infections, diphtheria, meningitis, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Penicillin G potassium is also used to prevent infections of the heart valves in people with certain heart conditions who need to have dental work or surgery.

Penicillin G potassium may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Penicillin G potassium side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Penicillin G potassium may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;

red or scaly skin;

fever, chills, swollen glands, muscle or joint pain, fast heartbeats, general ill feeling;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

little or no urinating;

bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

seizure (convulsions); or

unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Common side effects of penicillin G potassium may include:

mild diarrhea;

headache;

black or hairy tongue; or

pain, swelling, bruising, or irritation around the IV needle.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Penicillin G potassium

You should not use penicillin G potassium if you are allergic to penicillin. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, Keflex, and others.

To make sure penicillin G potassium is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

asthma or a history of allergies;

liver disease;

kidney disease;

heart disease;

if you take a diuretic or "water pill"; or

if you take any other antibiotics, including sulfa drugs.

Penicillin G potassium is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Penicillin G potassium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Relate drugs

How to use Penicillin G potassium

Penicillin G potassium is injected into a muscle or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an injection at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Penicillin G potassium may also be injected into the membrane surrounding the lungs, or into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. A healthcare provider will give you this type of injection.

Penicillin G potassium is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (solvent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

Store the powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

After mixing the powder with a liquid, store in the refrigerator and use it within 7 days. Do not freeze.

Penicillin G potassium that is supplied as a frozen solution should be stored in a deep freezer at a temperature of 4 degrees below 0 (F).

Thaw the solution either in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not heat the medicine to thaw it more quickly. Once the solution has been thawed, it should look clear.

Penicillin G potassium that is thawed in the refrigerator should be used within 14 days. If you have thawed the medicine at room temperature, you must use it within 24 hours. Do not refreeze.

Do not use penicillin G potassium if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medication.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

This medicine can cause false results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using penicillin G potassium.

If you use this medicine long-term, your blood may need to be tested to make sure the medicine is not causing harmful effects. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Penicillin G potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

After you have finished your treatment with penicillin G potassium, your doctor may want to do tests to make sure your infection has completely cleared up.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Penicillin G potassium

Other drugs may interact with penicillin G potassium, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.