PENICILLIN V

Brand & Generic Names

Apo-Pen-VK
Beepen-VK
Betapen-VK
Ledercillin VK
Nadopen-V
Novapen V
Novopen-VK
Pen Vee
Pen Vee K
Phenoxymethyl-penicillin
PVF
PVF K
Robicillin VK
V-Cillin K
VC-K
Veetids

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antibiotic (penicillin)

Uses

• Treatment of bacterial infections that are susceptible to penicillin V.
• Prevention of streptococcal infections in susceptible persons such as those with heart valves damaged by rheumatic fever.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid on an empty stomach 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after eating.
Liquid--Take with cold beverage. Liquid form is perishable and effective for only 7 days at room temperature. Effective for 14 days if stored in refrigerator. Don't freeze.

When to take:
Follow instructions on prescription label or side of package. Doses should be evenly spaced. For example, 4 times a day means every 6 hours.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Continue regular schedule.

What drug does:
Destroys susceptible bacteria. Does not kill viruses.

Time lapse before drug works:
May be several days before penicillin V affects infection.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

Dark or discolored tongue.

Infrequent:

• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Bloody urine, face and ankle swelling.

Rare:

Unexplained bleeding or bruising, weakness, sore throat, fever, abdominal cramps, convulsions.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to penicillin V, cephalosporin antibiotics*, other penicillins or penicillamine. Life-threatening reaction may occur.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to any substance or drug.
• If you take birth control pills.

Over age 60:
You may have skin reactions, particularly around genitals and anus.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on danger to unborn child. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Child may become sensitive to penicillin. Child more likely to have future allergic reactions to penicillin. Avoid penicillin V or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
No problems expected.

Prolonged use:

• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to penicillin V.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check SGPT*, SGOT*.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Usually not dangerous. Most hazardous reactions likely to occur a few minutes after taking penicillin V.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you have finished prescribed dose, even if symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.
• Birth control pills may not be effective. Use additional birth control methods.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Beta-adrenergic	Increased chance
blockers*	of anaphylaxis (see EMERGENCY
	Information).
Birth control pills	Impaired contraceptive efficiency.
Calcium supplements*	Decreased penicillin effect.
Chloramphenicol	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Cholestyramine	May decrease penicillin effect.
Colestipol	May decrease penicillin effect.
Erythromycins*	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Paromomycin	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Probenecid	Increased effect of all
	penicillins.
Sodium benzoate	May reduce effect of sodium
& sodium phenylacetate	benzoate & sodium phenylacetate.
Tetracyclines*	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Troleandomycin	Decreased effect of both drugs.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Occasional stomach irritation.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Acidic fruits or juices,	Decreased antibiotic effect.
Marijuana:	No proven problems.
Tobacco:	None expected.