Penicillin V
Description
Penicillin V is an antibiotic which is used to treat mild to moderately severe bacterial infections caused due to penicillin-sensitive microorganisms. This medicine is also used as a prophylaxis against rheumatic fever and anthrax.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Penicillin V
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Mouth sores
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash and hives
- Yellow eyes or skin
- White patches in the mouth or on the tongue
Uses of Penicillin V
What is it prescribed for?
- Bacterial infections
- Prophylaxis for Rheumatic Fever
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
- Anthrax Prophylaxis
- Skin or soft tissue infection
- Joint infection
- Streptococcal Infections
- Actinomycosis
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to penicillin V, any other antibiotic of the penicillin, cephalosporins, or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Hypersensitivity reactions
This medicine may cause serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic shock in some patients. This risk is especially high in patients with a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. If an anaphylactic reaction occurs, the treatment should be discontinued immediately and appropriate corrective measures should be undertaken.
Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
Discontinue the use of this medicine as per the doctor's instructions if severe diarrhea occurs after receiving this medicine. This medicine may cause an imbalance in the microbial flora of the large intestine, decreasing the gut-friendly bacteria and promoting the growth of a bacteria called Clostridium difficile, resulting in severe diarrhea.
Drug-resistance
Usage of this medicine without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing benefits and may even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that are drug-resistant.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with an impaired kidney function due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause symptoms such as lightheadedness, blurred vision, fainting, dizziness, etc. in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Take/administer the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
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
Tetracyclines
Methotrexate
Ethinyl Estradiol
Warfarin
Disease interactions
Colitis
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients having a history of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis, since it may worsen the patient's condition. Report any incidence of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in stools, etc. to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take/administer this medicine exactly as instructed by your doctor. Do not take/administer smaller or larger doses than the prescribed dose. Do not stop taking this medicine before completion of course. Inform the doctor if you have a known history of allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions before receiving this medicine. Report any undesirable side effects to the doctor promptly.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by stopping the growth of bacteria by inhibiting its cell wall synthesis.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Natural penicillins
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 4 January 2019]. Available from:
Penicillin V Potassium: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 13 September 2019]. Available from:
Phenoxymethylpenicillin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 4 January 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 13 Sep 2019
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.