Generic Name: penicillin V potassium (oral) (PEN i SIL in V poe TAS ee um)
Brand Names: PC Pen VK
What is penicillin V potassium?
Penicillin V potassium is a slow-onset antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body.
Penicillin V potassium is used to treat many different types of infections including strep and staph infections, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and infections affecting the mouth or throat.
Penicillin V potassium is also used to prevent infections of the heart valves in people with certain heart conditions who need to have dental work or surgery.
Penicillin V potassium may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about penicillin V potassium?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to penicillin. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, Keflex, and others.
Before taking penicillin V potassium, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others, or if you have asthma, kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics, or a history of any type of allergy.
Penicillin V potassium can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking penicillin V potassium, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills. Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Penicillin V potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not share this medication 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 has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking penicillin V potassium?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to penicillin. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, Keflex, and others.
To make sure you can safely take penicillin V potassium, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
asthma or a history of allergies;
kidney disease; or
if you are sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Penicillin V potassium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take penicillin V potassium?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
You may take penicillin V potassium with or without food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Penicillin V potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
After you have finished your treatment with penicillin V potassium, 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.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include some of the serious side effects listed in this medication guide.
What should I avoid while taking penicillin V potassium?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Penicillin V potassium side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
fever, swollen glands, sore throat, rash or itching, joint pain, general ill feeling;
skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness; or
easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue; or
vaginal itching or discharge.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect penicillin V potassium?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
birth control pills;
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
probenecid (Benemid); or
a tetracycline antibiotic, such as doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea, Periostat, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with penicillin V potassium. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More PC Pen VK resources
- PC Pen VK Side Effects (in more detail)
- PC Pen VK Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- PC Pen VK Drug Interactions
- PC Pen VK Support Group
- 0 Reviews for PC Pen VK - Add your own review/rating
Compare PC Pen VK with other medications
- Actinomycosis
- Anthrax
- Anthrax Prophylaxis
- Aspiration Pneumonia
- Bacterial Infection
- Clostridial Infection
- Congenital Syphilis
- Cutaneous Bacillus anthracis
- Deep Neck Infection
- Diphtheria
- Endocarditis
- Fusospirochetosis, Trench Mouth
- Joint Infection
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme Disease, Arthritis
- Lyme Disease, Carditis
- Lyme Disease, Erythema Chronicum Migrans
- Lyme Disease, Neurologic
- Meningitis
- Meningitis, Meningococcal
- Meningitis, Pneumococcal
- Neurosyphilis
- Otitis Media
- Pneumonia
- Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease
- Rat-bite Fever
- Rheumatic Fever Prophylaxis
- Skin Infection
- Strep Throat
- Syphilis, Early
- Syphilis, Latent
- Tertiary Syphilis
- Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about penicillin V potassium.
See also: PC Pen VK side effects (in more detail)
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