Penicillin V Potassium Description

Generic Name : PENICILLIN V POTASSIUM

Pronunciation : (pen i sill' in)

Trade Name(s) : Bistrepen 1 dose, Fortified PP, Fortified Procaine peni INJ, Kaypen, Kaypen, Pencom, Penidure, Penivoral

Why it is prescribed: Penicillin, an antibiotic, eliminates bacteria that cause infections, including pneumonia, scarlet fever, sore throat, venereal diseases, and skin infections. It is not effective for viral infections such as the common cold.

When it is to be taken: Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Doses should be taken as far apart as possible throughout the day. For example, if your doctor instructs you to take penicillin V potassium four times a day, take a dose every six hours. However, if you cannot take the drug around the clock, take it at evenly spaced intervals between the time you wake up in the morning and the time you to bed at night (e.g., at 7 a.m., noon 5 p.m., and 10 p.m.).

How it should be taken: Penicillin comes in the form of tablets and oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Penicillin V potassium should be taken on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after meals. The tablets should be taken with a full glass of water. Liquid penicillin bottle should be shaken well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

Special Instruction :
1. Take all of the medication prescribed, even after the infection appears to have gone away. Failure to do so could allow the infection to return.
2. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.

Side Effects :
1. Shortness of breath, wheezing, rash, itching, hives. Call your doctor or go to a hospital immediately. You may need emergency treatment.
2. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sore mouth. Contact your doctor if this problem is severe or lasts for more than two days.

Other Precautions :
1. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding because penicillin V potassium passes from a mother to her baby in the milk.
2. If you are allergic to penicillins, tartrazine, or any other medication or have asthma, hay fever, allergies, or kidney disease, tell your doctor before you take this medication.
3. If you have used all of the medication prescribed but still have symptoms, contact your doctor.
4. If your doctor tells you to stop taking penicillin V potassium, throw away any unused medication. Penicillin may lose its effectiveness and should not be saved to treat another infection.
5. Before you take penicillin, tell your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking. Consult your doctor before using any other medication while taking penicillin.
6. Penicillin V potassium may decrease the effectiveness of some birth-control pills, so ask your doctor if you should use another form of birth control.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store liquid penicillin in the refrigerator but not in the freezer.
3. The container of liquid penicillin will have an expiry date on it. Do not take if after that date. Throw it away and, if you need more penicillin, get a new supply.