Penicillin V potassium

Penicillin V potassium is a slow-acting antibiotic that treats various mild to moderate infections caused by bacteria, such as scarlet fever, pneumonia, skin infections, and infections in the nose, mouth, or throat. Penicillin V potassium is also used to help prevent the symptoms of rheumatic fever.

Penicillin V potassium is additionally used to prevent infections of the heart valves in people with specific heart conditions who require dental work or surgery.

Penicillin V potassium may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

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.

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

You should not take 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 very sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea, your medication may not work as well.

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.

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

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

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it happens 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 feeling unwell.

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 happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not share penicillin V potassium with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

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.