Penicillin V Potassium Oral (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed
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.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used
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 carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take penicillin V potassium exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

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 to take penicillin V potassium even if you feel well. Do not stop taking penicillin V potassium without talking to your doctor.

Special precautions
Before taking penicillin V potassium:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to penicillin V potassium, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
 * tell 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.
 * tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, allergies, asthma, blood disease, colitis, stomach problems, or hay fever.
 * tell 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.
 * if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking penicillin V potassium.

Special dietary instructions
Take penicillin V potassium at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Minor Side Effects
Penicillin V potassium may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * upset stomach
 * diarrhea
 * vomiting
 * mild skin rash

Severe Side Effects
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:


 * severe skin rash
 * itching
 * hives
 * difficulty breathing or swallowing
 * wheezing
 * vaginal infection

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Keep liquid medicine in the refrigerator, tightly closed, and throw away any unused medication after 14 days. Do not freeze. The liquid is good for 7 days at room temperature. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to penicillin V potassium.

If you are diabetic, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine for sugar while taking this drug.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the penicillin V potassium, call your doctor.

Brand names

 * Beepen-VK®
 * Betapen-VK®
 * Ledercillin VK®
 * Pen-Vee K®
 * Robicillin VK®
 * V-Cillin K®
 * Veetids®