Penicillin G
Description
Penicillin G is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat and prevent certain infections caused by bacteria. It is mainly effective in treating bacterial infections of the respiratory tract- throat, lungs, nose, and skin. Penicillin G stops the growth of bacteria causing the infection. It is not effective against infections caused by viruses.
Penicillin G may cause few side effects like diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Penicillin G. Maintain caution while using it in individuals with kidney and liver problems. Penicillin G can make birth control pills less effective.
Take Penicillin G with or without food. You can take this tablet around the same time every day for ease of remembering. For the best results, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. Once an antibiotic is started, it is always recommended to finish the entire course of treatment.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Penicillin G
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Yellow coloured eyes or skin
- Weakness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Irregular heartbeat
Uses of Penicillin G
What is it prescribed for?
- Sinusitis
- Lung infections
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Pharyngitis/Tonsilitis
- Bacterial infections
- Prophylaxis for Rheumatic Fever
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionYou will start to feel better in 3 to 5 days after taking Penicillin G. But finish your entire course of treatment, even if the condition gets better.
- Duration of effectThe duration of time for which Penicillin G remains active in the body is not clinically known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Penicillin G.
- Usage in pregnancy?Penicillin G is generally safe in pregnancy to treat bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects when used by pregnant women. Hence it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Penicillin G is safe to use during breastfeeding. It is not known to be harmful to breastfeeding women. It passes into breast milk in very low levels that are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Hence it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation.
Allergy
Avoid taking Penicillin G if you are previously allergic to it. Some patients may get allergic reactions to this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Penicillin G is generally safe in pregnancy to treat bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects when used by pregnant women. Hence it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation.
Breast-feeding
Penicillin G is safe to use during breastfeeding. It is not known to be harmful to breastfeeding women. It passes into breast milk in very low levels that are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Hence it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation.
General warnings
Antibiotic resistance
Finish your entire course of treatment with Penicillin G, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance (the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics). If you still feel unwell after completing your antibiotic course, make an appointment to consult your doctor.
Driving or operating machinery
Penicillin G may cause dizziness, confusion, or fits in some people. Do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery after taking this medicine.
Diarrhoea
Penicillin G can cause diarrhoea because it may also kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. Get emergency medical help if you experience severe diarrhoea that is watery or bloody. Call your pharmacist/doctor before taking anti-diarrhoeal medication.
Allergic reaction
Penicillin G is likely to cause severe allergic reactions in some people. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or breathing difficulties.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Penicillin G. And if a dose is skipped, do not add it up to the next dose.
Overdose
Reach the nearest emergency medical department immediately or contact the doctor in case of an overdose with Penicillin G.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live cholera vaccine
Methotrexate
Ethinyl Estradiol
Warfarin
Disease interactions
Kidney disease
Penicillin G is filtered by the kidney and moved out of the body through urine. Patients with kidney diseases need special dose consideration while using Penicillin G due to the risk of kidney damage. Dose adjustment should be done based on the clinical condition.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Penicillin G can kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and leads to diarrhoea. Therefore use it under extreme caution in patients with gastrointestinal (mouth to anus) diseases, particularly colitis (swelling of the inner lining of the colon), since it may worsen the patient's condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Penicillin G with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Penicillin G works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. This helps in stopping the growth and multiplication of the microorganism, eventually killing it.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Penicillins, Antibiotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Penicillin g. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 May 2021].
Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Benzylpenicillin | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 May 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 11 May 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.