Penicillin-VK

P

Pronunciation: PEN-i-SIL-in V poe-TAS-ee-um
Generic Name: Penicillin V Potassium
Brand Name: Examples include Penicillin-VK and Veetids
Penicillin-VK is used for:

Treating some types of infections caused by certain bacteria.

Penicillin-VK is a penicillin antibiotic. It works by interfering with the formation of the bacteria's cell wall while it is growing. This weakens the cell wall and kills the bacteria.

Do NOT use Penicillin-VK if: you are allergic to any ingredient in Penicillin-VK or to other penicillins you are taking a tetracycline antibiotic

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Penicillin-VK:

Some medical conditions may interact with Penicillin-VK. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances if you have diarrhea or a stomach infection, especially in children 9 years old or younger

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Penicillin-VK. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Chloramphenicol, guar gum, or tetracyclines because they may decrease Penicillin-VK's effectiveness Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or methotrexate because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Penicillin-VK Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or chloramphenicol because their effectiveness may be decreased by Penicillin-VK

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Penicillin-VK may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Penicillin-VK:

Use Penicillin-VK as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Take Penicillin-VK by mouth. Penicillin-VK is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals), but may be taken with food. Penicillin-VK works best if it is taken at the same time each day. To clear up your infection completely, take Penicillin-VK for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Penicillin-VK, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Penicillin-VK.

Important safety information: Do not take Penicillin-VK if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin, ampicillin) or a cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cefaclor, cephalexin, cefuroxime, cefadroxil). A severe allergic reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. Ask your health care provider if you are unsure if you are allergic to Penicillin-VK. Long-term or repeated use of Penicillin-VK may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this. Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diabetes patients - Penicillin-VK may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine. Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Penicillin-VK. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms). PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Penicillin-VK while you are pregnant. Penicillin-VK is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Penicillin-VK, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Penicillin-VK:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Black, hairy tongue; irritation of the mouth or throat; mild diarrhea; nausea; upset stomach; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools or urine; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; severe or persistent diarrhea; stomach pain or cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; vaginal irritation or itching; worsening of skin lesions.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Penicillin-VK side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.

Proper storage of Penicillin-VK:

Store Penicillin-VK at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Penicillin-VK out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information: If you have any questions about Penicillin-VK, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Penicillin-VK is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Penicillin-VK. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012 Database Edition 12.1.1.002 Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. More Penicillin-VK resources Penicillin-VK Side Effects (in more detail)Penicillin-VK Use in Pregnancy & BreastfeedingDrug ImagesPenicillin-VK Drug InteractionsPenicillin-VK Support Group11 Reviews for Penicillin-VK - Add your own review/rating Compare Penicillin-VK with other medications ActinomycosisAnthraxAnthrax ProphylaxisAspiration PneumoniaBacterial InfectionClostridial InfectionCongenital SyphilisCutaneous Bacillus anthracisDeep Neck InfectionDiphtheriaEndocarditisFusospirochetosis, Trench MouthJoint InfectionLeptospirosisLyme Disease, ArthritisLyme Disease, CarditisLyme Disease, Erythema Chronicum MigransLyme Disease, NeurologicMeningitisMeningitis, MeningococcalMeningitis, PneumococcalNeurosyphilisOtitis MediaPneumoniaPrevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal DiseaseRat-bite FeverRheumatic Fever ProphylaxisSkin InfectionStrep ThroatSyphilis, EarlySyphilis, LatentTertiary SyphilisTonsillitis/PharyngitisUpper Respiratory Tract Infection

Penicillin VK

.