Penicillin V is a slow-onset antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body.
Penicillin V 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 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 may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Penicillin V indications
An indication is a term used for the list of condition or symptom or illness for which the medicine is prescribed or used by the patient. For example, acetaminophen or paracetamol is used for fever by the patient, or the doctor prescribes it for a headache or body pains. Now fever, headache and body pains are the indications of paracetamol. A patient should be aware of the indications of medications used for common conditions because they can be taken over the counter in the pharmacy meaning without prescription by the Physician.
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Penicillin V tablets and Penicillin V for oral solution are indicated in the treatment of mild to moderately severe infections due to penicillin G-sensitive microorganisms. Therapy should be guided by bacteriological studies (including sensitivity tests) and by clinical response.
NOTE: Severe pneumonia, empyema, bacteremia, pericarditis, meningitis, and arthritis should not be treated with Penicillin V during the acute stage. Indicated surgical procedures should be performed.
The following infections will usually respond to adequate dosage of Penicillin V.
Streptococcal infections (without bacteremia). Mild-to-moderate infections of the upper respiratory tract, scarlet fever, and mild erysipelas.
NOTE: Streptococci in groups A, C, G, H, L, and M are very sensitive to penicillin. Other groups, including group D (enterococcus), are resistant.
Pneumococcal infections. Mild to moderately severe infections of the respiratory tract.
Staphylococcal infections—penicillin G-sensitive. Mild infections of the skin and soft tissues.
NOTE: Reports indicate an increasing number of strains of staphylococci resistant to penicillin G, emphasizing the need for culture and sensitivity studies in treating suspected staphylococcal infections.
Fusospirochetosis (Vincent's gingivitis and pharyngitis)—Mild to moderately severe infections of the oropharynx usually respond to therapy with oral penicillin.
NOTE: Necessary dental care should be accomplished in infections involving the gum tissue.
Medical conditions in which oral penicillin therapy is indicated as prophylaxis: For the prevention of recurrence following rheumatic fever and/or chorea: Prophylaxis with oral penicillin on a continuing basis has proven effective in preventing recurrence of these conditions.
Although no controlled clinical efficacy studies have been conducted, Penicillin V has been suggested by the American Heart Association and the American Dental Association for use as an oral regimen for prophylaxis against bacterial endocarditis in patients who have congenital heart disease or rheumatic or other acquired valvular heart disease when they undergo dental procedures and surgical procedures of the upper respiratory tract.1
Oral penicillin should not be used in those patients at particularly high risk for endocarditis (e.g., those with prosthetic heart valves or surgically constructed systemic pulmonary shunts). Penicillin V should not be used as adjunctive prophylaxis for genitourinary instrumentation or surgery, lower-intestinal tract surgery, sigmoidoscopy, and childbirth. Since it may happen that alpha hemolytic streptococci relatively resistant to penicillin may be found when patients are receiving continuous oral penicillin for secondary prevention of rheumatic fever, prophylactic agents other than penicillin may be chosen for these patients and prescribed in addition to their continuous rheumatic fever prophylactic regimen.
NOTE: When selecting antibiotics for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis, the physician or dentist should read the full joint statement of the American Heart Association and the American Dental Association.1
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Penicillin V tablets, Penicillin V for oral solution, and other antibacterial drugs, Penicillin V tablets and Penicillin V for oral solution should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
How should I use Penicillin V?
Use Penicillin V solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Penicillin V solution by mouth. Penicillin V solution is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals), but may be taken with food.
Penicillin V solution works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
Shake well before each use.
Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.
To clear up your infection completely, take Penicillin V solution for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Penicillin V solution, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Penicillin V solution.
Uses of Penicillin V in details
There are specific as well as general uses of a drug or medicine. A medicine can be used to prevent a disease, treat a disease over a period or cure a disease. It can also be used to treat the particular symptom of the disease. The drug use depends on the form the patient takes it. It may be more useful in injection form or sometimes in tablet form. The drug can be used for a single troubling symptom or a life-threatening condition. While some medications can be stopped after few days, some drugs need to be continued for prolonged period to get the benefit from it.
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Amoxicillin is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This medication is a penicillin-type antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.
Amoxicillin is also used with other medications to treat stomach/intestinal ulcers caused by the bacteria H. pylori and to prevent the ulcers from returning.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved US professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used by people with certain heart problems (such as heart valve disease) before medical/dental procedures (such as tooth/gum procedures) to prevent heart infection.
How to use Penicillin V
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually every 8 or 12 hours. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Drink plenty of fluids while using this medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a return of the infection.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
Penicillin V description
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A broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic used orally in the treatment of mild to moderate infections by susceptible gram-positive organisms.
Penicillin V dosage
The dosage of Penicillin V tablets and Penicillin V for oral solution should be determined according to the sensitivity of the causative microorganisms and the severity of infection, and adjusted to the clinical response of the patient.
The usual dosage recommendations for adults and children 12 years and over are as follows:
Streptococcal infections—mild to moderately severe—of the upper respiratory tract and including scarlet fever and erysipelas: 125 to 250 mg (200,000 to 400,000 units) every 6 to 8 hours for 10 days.
Pneumococcal infections—mild to moderately severe—of the respiratory tract, including otitis media: 250 to 500 mg (400,000 to 800,000 units) every 6 hours until the patient has been afebrile for at least 2 days.
Staphylococcal infections—mild infections of skin and soft tissue (culture and sensitivity tests should be performed): 250 to 500 mg (400,000 to 800,000 units) every 6 to 8 hours.
Fusospirochetosis (Vincent’s infection) of the oropharynx. Mild to moderately severe infections: 250 to 500 mg (400,000 to 800,000 units) every 6 to 8 hours.
For the prevention of recurrence following rheumatic fever and/or chorea: 125 to 250 mg (200,000 to 400,000 units) twice daily on a continuing basis.
For prophylaxis against bacterial endocarditis1 in patients with congenital heart disease or rheumatic or other acquired valvular heart disease when undergoing dental procedures or surgical procedures of the upper respiratory tract: 2 gram of Penicillin V (1 gram for children under 60 lbs.) 1 hour before the procedure, and then, 1 gram (500 mg for children under 60 lbs.) 6 hours later.
Directions for Mixing
Oral Solution
Do not add water until you dispense. When dispensing, tap bottle until all powder flows freely, slowly add the total amount of water for reconstitution. After partially filling bottle, replace cap and shake vigorously. Add remaining water and repeat shaking. After reconstitution, solution must be stored in a refrigerator. Discard any unused portion after 14 days.
125 mg/5 mL
Bottle size
Total Amount of Water Required for Reconstitution
100 mL
75 mL
200 mL
150 mL
The resulting solution (red in color) will contain Penicillin V equivalent to Penicillin V 125 mg (200,000 units) in each 5 mL (teaspoonful).
250 mg/5 mL
Bottle size
Total Amount of Water Required for Reconstitution
100 mL
75 mL
200 mL
150 mL
The resulting solution (red in color) will contain Penicillin V equivalent to Penicillin V 250 mg (400,000 units) in each 5 mL (teaspoonful).
The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.
To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: live bacterial vaccines, methotrexate.
Although most antibiotics are unlikely to affect hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring, a few antibiotics (such as rifampin, rifabutin) can decrease their effectiveness. This could result in pregnancy. If you use hormonal birth control, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Amoxicillin may cause false positive results with certain diabetic urine testing products (cupric sulfate-type). This drug may also affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.
This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.
Applies to Penicillin V: capsule, powder for solution, powder for suspension, solution, suspension, syrup, tablet, tablet for suspension, tablet chewable, tablet extended release
In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by Penicillin V (the active ingredient contained in Penicillin V). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.
Stop taking Penicillin V and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:
Less common:
Fast or irregular breathing
fever
joint pain
lightheadedness or fainting (sudden)
puffiness or swelling around the face
red, scaly skin
shortness of breath
skin rash, hives, itching
Major Side Effects
You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking Penicillin V:
Rare
Abdominal or stomach cramps and pain (severe)
abdominal tenderness
convulsions (seizures)
decreased amount of urine
diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody
mental depression
nausea and vomiting
pain at place of injection
sore throat and fever
unusual bleeding or bruising
yellow eyes or skin
Rare - For penicillin G procaine only
Agitation or combativeness
anxiety
confusion
fear of impending death
feeling, hearing, or seeing things that are not real
Minor Side Effects
Some of the side effects that can occur with Penicillin V may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:
Phenoxymethylpenicillin should not be given to patients known to be allergic to penicillin and should be given with care to patients with a history of allergy to cephalosporins. Cases of cross sensitivity have been reported. It should not be given to babies, in the neonatal period, born of hypersensitive mothers. It is not recommended for chronic, severe or deep-seated infections such as subacute bacterial endocarditis, meningitis or syphilis.
Tablet; Oral; Penicillin V Potassium 250 mg (Apothecon)
Tablet; Oral; Penicillin V Potassium 500 mg (Apothecon)
References
DailyMed. "PENICILLIN V POTASSIUM: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Penicillin V are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Penicillin V. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.
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