Penicillin V potassium

Generic name: Penicillin V Potassium (oral)
Drug class: Natural penicillins

Usage of Penicillin V potassium

Penicillin V potassium is a slow-onset antibiotic that is used to treat many types of mild to moderate infections caused by bacteria, including scarlet fever, pneumonia, skin infections, and infections affecting the nose, mouth, or throat. Penicillin V potassium is also used to prevent the symptoms of rheumatic fever.

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

Penicillin V potassium side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; fever, chills, joint pain; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

easy bruising or bleeding;

pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine;

numbness, tingling, or burning pain;

urination problems; or

fever, swollen glands, itching, joint pain, or not feeling well.

Common side effects of penicillin V potassium may include:

nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;

diarrhea;

swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue;

rash; or

vaginal itching or discharge.

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 V potassium

You should not be treated with this medicine if you are allergic to penicillin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic (Keflex, Omnicef, and others);

any type of allergy;

asthma or breathing problems;

a stomach or intestinal disorder;

heart disease; or

kidney disease.

If you have stomach problems or are sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea, your medication may not be as effective.

Penicillin V potassium oral liquid may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

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How to use Penicillin V potassium

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take penicillin V potassium with or without food.

Shake the oral liquid before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

When given before surgery or dental work, penicillin V potassium is usually taken 1 hour before and 6 hours after the procedure. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Use penicillin V potassium for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Penicillin V potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

After you have finished all doses, your doctor may want to do tests to make sure your infection has completely cleared up.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Store the liquid in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.

Warnings

You should not be treated with penicillin V potassium if you are allergic to penicillin.

What other drugs will affect Penicillin V potassium

Penicillin V potassium can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Other drugs may affect penicillin V potassium, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines 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.