General
Information and Indications:
Penicillin V potassium is an antibiotic used to
treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia, scarlet
fever, and ear, skin, and throat infections. It also is used to prevent
recurrent rheumatic fever and chorea. Antibiotics will not work for colds,
flu, or other viral infections.
Information
For Users:
Penicillin V potassium comes as a tablet and liquid to
take by mouth. It is usually taken every 6 hours (four times a day) or every
8 hours (three times a day). Follow the directions on your prescription
label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take
penicillin V potassium exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it
or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.
Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
The tablets should be swallowed whole and taken with a full glass of water.
Continue taking penicillin V potassium even if you feel well. Do not
discontinue taking penicillin V potassium without informing your doctor.
special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to penicillin V potassium, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some
processed foods and drugs), or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics, anticoagulants
('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), atenolol (Tenormin), aspirin
or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine such as naproxen (Anaprox)
or ibuprofen (Motrin), oral contraceptives, probenecid (Benemid), and
vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding kidney or liver disease,
allergies, asthma, blood disease, colitis, stomach problems, or hay fever.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking penicillin V potassium,
call your doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking penicillin V potassium.
Take penicillin V potassium at least 1 hour
before or 2 hours after meals.
If you are diabetic, use Clinistix or TesTape
(not Clinitest) to test your urine for sugar while taking this drug.
Possible Adverse Effects:
Though adverse effects of penicillin V
potassium are not common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the
following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o upset stomach
o diarrhea
o vomiting
o mild skin rash
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o severe skin rash
o itching
o hives (Urticaria)
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o wheezing
o vaginal infection
Brand Name(s):
o Beepen-VK®
o Betapen-VK®
o Ledercillin VK®
o Pen-Vee K®
o Robicillin VK®
o V-Cillin K® |
