Penicillin V Potassium – Oral Liquid, Pen-Vee K, Veetids

Medication Uses: Penicillin is an antibiotic used to treat and prevent bacterial infections. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to decreased effectiveness.

How To Use: Shake the bottle well before each dose. Measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon. This medication may be taken with or without food. However, penicillin is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. In children, the dosage is also based on weight. Take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. 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 relapse of the infection. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Side Effects: Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores may occur. You may develop a black, "hairy" tongue while taking this medication. This effect is harmless and usually goes away after treatment. Maintain good oral hygiene, and brush your tongue with a soft toothbrush twice a day. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Notify your doctor immediately if any serious side effects occur, such as unusual tiredness, joint/muscle pain, easy bruising/bleeding. This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of resistant bacteria. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have any of the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection (oral or vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a serious allergic reaction. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you notice other effects not listed above.

Precautions: Before taking penicillin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to other antibiotics. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Inform your doctor about your medical history, especially kidney problems. This medication may contain aspartame. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have phenylketonuria or any other condition that requires you to restrict your intake of aspartame. Elderly people and newborns/infants may be more sensitive to this drug. Use this medication during pregnancy only when clearly needed. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions: Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially live bacterial vaccines, methotrexate, tetracyclines, khat, guar gum, and probenecid. Some antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.

QUESTION

Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe vomiting and persistent diarrhea. Do not share this medication with others. Prolonged treatment may require laboratory and/or medical tests. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Refrigerate the medication between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Throw away any unused portion after 14 days since the drug loses potency after that time. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product. Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.