Penicillin V: Antibiotic Uses, Side Effects & Dosage (original) (raw)

• Uses
  • What is penicillin V, and what is it used for?
• Side Effects
  • What are the side effects of penicillin V?
• Dosage
  • What is the dosage for penicillin V?
• Drug Interactions
  • Which drugs interact with penicillin V?
• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• What Else to Know
  • What else should I know about penicillin V?

Brand Name: Penicillin V

Generic Name: phenoxymethyl penicillin

Drug Class: Penicillins, Natural

What is penicillin V, and what is it used for?

• Penicillin V is effective for treatment of laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and soft tissue and skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
• It also is used for preventing recurrence of rheumatic fever and chorea (a disorder of uncontrolled movement of the body).
• Only mild to moderate infections are treated with oral penicillin V.
• Patients with more severe infections are given penicillin by injection.

What are the side effects of penicillin V?

Common side effects of penicillin V include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• abdominal pain,
• fever,
• black hairy tongue,
• eosinophilia,
• rash, and
• itching.

Patients with a history of allergic reactions to other penicillins should not receive penicillin V. Persons who are allergic to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics, which are related to the penicillins, for example, cefaclor (Ceclor), cephalexin (Keflex), and cefprozil (Cefzil), may or may not be allergic to penicillins.

Serious but rare reactions include:

• seizures,
• hemolytic anemia,
• super infection,
• reduced kidney function,
• severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), and
• low platelet or red blood cell count.

Penicillins can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and encourage overgrowth of some bacteria such as Clostridium difficile which causes inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis). Patients who develop signs of pseudomembranous colitis after starting penicillin (diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and possibly shock) should contact their doctor immediately.

QUESTION Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day. See Answer

What is the dosage for penicillin V?

The usual adult dose of penicillin V is 125 to 500 mg every 6-8 hours.

Which drugs interact with penicillin V?

:

• Probenecid (Benemid) causes an increase in the level of penicillin in the blood by reducing the elimination of penicillin by the kidneys. In fact, sometimes probenecid is combined with penicillin so that a smaller amount of penicillin results in higher blood levels.
• Penicillin may reduce the effectiveness of BCG live vaccine (used for prevention of tuberculosis) or live typhoid vaccine. Penicillin therapy should be completed before giving live bacterial vaccines.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

:

• Penicillin is considered safe during pregnancy.
• Penicillin is excreted in breast milk and may cause diarrhea or allergic responses in nursing infants. If penicillin is used while nursing, the potential benefit of penicillin for the mother should be weighed against the potential risk of side effects in the infant. Penicillin is used for treating infections in infants.

What else should I know about penicillin V?

What preparations of penicillin V (phenoxymethyl penicillin) are available?

Tablets: 250 and 500 mg. Powder: 125 and 250 mg/5 mL.

How should I keep penicillin V (phenoxymethyl penicillin) stored?

• Tablets should be stored between 15 C and 30 C (59 and 86 F).
• After mixing with water, the solution should be kept refrigerated and can be used for up to 14 days after it is reconstituted by the pharmacist.
• It must be shaken before each use and should be kept well-sealed.

Health News

Summary

Penicillin V (Veetids and Pen-Vee-K have been discontinued) is an antibiotic prescribed to treat infections from a variety of bacteria that causes infections of the middle ear, tonsils, throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract, and gonorrhea. Side effects include rash, itching, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea. Drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes

• What's Bronchitis? Symptoms and Treatments Is bronchitis contagious? Learn about bronchitis, an inflammation of the lining of the lungs. Explore bronchitis symptoms,...
• Bronchitis Quiz What happens within the body when a person develops bronchitis? Take this quick quiz to learn the causes, symptoms, treatments,...
• Strep (Streptococcal) Throat Infection Quiz: Test Your Infectious Disease IQ Take the Strep (Streptococcal) Throat Infection Quiz to learn about causes, symptoms, treatments, prevention methods, diagnosis,...
• STD Quiz: Symptoms, Testing & List There are more sexually transmitted diseases than just the ones you've heard of. Find out what you've been missing with the STD...
• Picture of Bronchitis Acute bronchitis usually comes on quickly and gets better after several weeks. See a picture of Acute Bronchitis and learn more...
• Picture of Strep Throat Strep infection often produces a distinct pattern of white patches in the throat and on the tonsils, as well as red swollen...

Related Disease Conditions

• Cellulitis Cellulitis is an acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness, warmth, inflammation, and pain. The most common cause of cellulitis is the bacteria staph (Staphylococcus aureus).
• Sore Throat Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches. Home remedies for a sore throat include warm soothing liquids and throat lozenges. OTC remedies for a sore throat include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics may be necessary for some cases of sore throat.
• Mono (Infectious Mononucleosis) Infectious mononucleosis is a virus infection in which there is an increase of white blood cells that are mononuclear (with a single nucleus) "Mono" and "kissing disease" are popular terms for this very common illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
• Laryngitis Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (vocal cords). The most common cause of acute laryngitis is an infection, which inflames the vocal cords. Symptoms may vary from the degree of laryngitis and age of the person (laryngitis in infants and children is more commonly caused by croup).
• What Are the Side Effects of the Pneumonia Vaccine? The pneumonia vaccine can help protect against pneumococcal infections. Learn what the pneumonia vaccine is all about, and what to do if you experience side effects. Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs that is usually caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
• Syphilis Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. There are three stages of syphilis with distinct symptoms. During the first stage of syphilis, a painless ulcer or sore, known as a chancre, forms. Irreversible organ damage and death can occur during the late stage of syphilis if left untreated.
• Toothache A toothache is a pain on or around a tooth. It may have a variety of causes, including a cavity, abscess, or even sinusitis. Toothache symptoms include pain, headache, earache, bad taste in the mouth, and gum swelling. Dental X-rays and other tests performed by a dentist are used to diagnose the cause of a toothache. Toothache treatment depends on the underlying cause. Taking proper care of the teeth and gums can help prevent toothache.
• Colitis Colitis refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Symptoms of the inflammation of the colon lining include diarrhea, pain, and blood in the stool. There are several causes of colitis, including infection, ischemia of the colon, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, infectious colitis like C. difficile, or microscopic colitis). Treatment depends on the cause of the colitis.
• Pneumonia Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Symptoms and signs include cough, fever, shortness of breath, and chills. Antibiotics treat pneumonia, and the choice of the antibiotic depends upon the cause of the infection.
• Strep Throat Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. Signs and symptoms of strep throat include headache, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and fever. Strep throat symptoms in infants and children are different than in adults. Strep throat is contagious and is generally passed from person to person. Treatment for strep throat symptoms includes home remedies and OTC medication; however, the only cure for strep throat is antibiotics.
• Acute Bronchitis Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways in the lung. Acute bronchitis is short (10-20 days) in comparison with chronic bronchitis, which lasts for months to years. Causes of acute bronchitis include viruses and bacteria, which means it can be contagious. Acute bronchitis caused by environmental factors such as pollution or cigarette smoke is not contagious. Common symptoms of acute bronchitis include nasal congestion, cough, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue. Acute bronchitis in children also may include runny nose, fever, and chest pain. Treatment for acute bronchitis includes OTC pain relievers, cough suppressants (although not recommended in children), and rest. Infrequently antibiotics may be prescribed to treat acute bronchitis.
• Is Pneumonia Contagious? Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung usually caused by bacterial or viral infection (rarely, also by fungi) that causes the air sacs to fill with pus. If inflammation affects both lungs, the infection is termed double pneumonia. If it affects one lung, it is termed single pneumonia. If it affects only a certain lobe of a lung it's termed lobar pneumonia. Most pneumonias are caused by bacteria and viruses, but some pneumonias are caused by inhaling toxic chemicals that damage lung tissue.
• Is Strep Throat Contagious? Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Incubation period for strep throat is 1-5 days after exposure. If strep throat is treated with antibiotics, it is no longer contagious after 24 hours; if it is not treated with antibiotics, it is contagious for 2-3 weeks. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, white spots or patches on the tonsils, and nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis of strep throat is performed through a rapid strep test.
• How Do You Get Rid of Bronchitis Naturally? Bronchitis is swelling of airways mostly due to a virus. Rarely, bacteria or fungi can also be the reason. Swelling in bronchial tubes may restrict air to and from your lungs. It typically causes a bad cough, chest discomfort, and fatigue. You may need to consult a doctor to distinguish bronchitis from pneumonia.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in women include gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and HPV infection (genital warts). Learn about types, symptoms, and treatment.
• Scarlet Fever Scarlet fever (scarlatina) is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Scarlet fever symptoms include fever, rash with a sandpaper-like texture, and sore throat. Oral penicillin is the standard treatment for scarlet fever.
• Chronic Bronchitis Chronic bronchitis is a cough that occurs daily with the production of sputum that lasts for at least 3 months, 2 years in a row. Causes of chronic bronchitis include cigarette smoking, inhaled irritants, and underlying disease processes (such as asthma, or congestive heart failure). Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Treatments include bronchodilators and steroids. Complications of chronic bronchitis include COPD and emphysema.
• Is Laryngitis Contagious? Laryngitis is inflammation and swelling of the voice box (larynx). Causes of laryngitis are viral, bacterial, fungal, strenuous singing or talking, chemical irritants, and other underlying medical conditions. Symptoms of laryngitis are hoarseness, a weak or loss of voice, sore throat, dry throat, a tickling sensation in the back of the throat, or irritated or raw throat. Treatment of laryngitis depends upon the cause.
• Streptococcal Infections Group A streptococcal infections are caused by group A Streptococcus, a bacteria that causes a variety of health problems, including strep throat, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas, and scarlet fever. There are more than 10 million group A strep infections each year.
• What Is the Best Medicine and Treatment for Bronchitis? Learn what medical treatments can ease your bronchitis symptoms and help you manage this condition.
• How Do You Get Rid of Laryngitis Quickly? Learn what medical treatments can help with laryngitis and speed up your recovery.
• How Long Is Pneumonia Contagious? Pneumonia may be contagious for 2-14 days. Usually, the goal of medications given for pneumonia is to limit the spread of the disease.
• How Long Does Laryngitis Last? What is laryngitis, and how do you know if you have laryngitis? Learn the signs of laryngitis and how to care for your throat if you have laryngitis.
• How Do You Know if You Have Bronchitis or COVID-19 (Coronavirus)? What is the difference between bronchitis and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)? Learn how to recognize the symptoms of bronchitis and COVID-19 to help you treat either illness. Bronchitis or “chest cold” refers to the inflammation of the airways (bronchial tubes) in the lungs. Air passes through the lungs within a network of tubules called bronchial tubes. Bronchitis is often associated with persistent, nagging coughs with mucus. Learn more about when a cold becomes bronchitis.
• Clostridium Difficile Colitis Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, and is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon. C. difficile spores are found frequently in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, and nurseries for newborn infants.
• Is Scarlet Fever Contagious? Scarlet fever is contagious when caused by a certain Group A strep bacteria strain. Scarlet fever can be transmitted via person-to-person contact and by coming in contact with contaminated objects. Treatment includes antibiotics. Scarlet fever symptoms include a red rash, fever, a red, sore throat, strawberry tongue, and others.
• Laryngitis Home Remedies Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. Inflammation of the larynx is most often caused by viral infections. Symptoms include sore throat, cough, problems swallowing, and fever. The voice changes produced by laryngitis may last after the fever and other symptoms of the acute infection have gone away. The best natural home remedy to relieve pain and other symptoms caused by laryngitis includes resting your voice and breathing humidified air often. Turning on the hot water in the bathroom and then sitting in the steam can soothe and relieve laryngitis symptoms. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve) can relieve pain and inflammation caused by laryngitis. Don't give children aspirin to infants, toddlers, children, and teens because of the risk of developing Reye's syndrome, which can be fatal. Home remedies like resting your voice and sitting in humidified air can cure laryngitis. Medications like anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can relieve and soothe pain and symptoms caused by laryngitis.
• What Is Yaws? Yaws is an infectious disease that mainly occurs in the tropical areas of South and Central America, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pertenue, which causes lesions that look like bumps on the skin of the feet, hands, face, and genital area. Yaws is treated with penicillin or another antibiotic.
• What Is the Treatment for Asthmatic Bronchitis? Asthmatic bronchitis refers to inflammation of the bronchial tubes carrying air inside the lungs that occurs because of asthma. Treatment for asthmatic bronchitis involves bronchodilators, steroids, treating secretions, leukotriene inhibitors, antibiotics, oxygen administration and avoiding triggers.
• Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia Bronchitis and pneumonia both affect breathing and cause coughing, but there are key differences between causes, symptoms, and treatment.
• How Long Does Asthmatic Bronchitis Last? The duration of the disease usually depends on the patient’s overall health and age. In patients with acute bronchitis symptoms may last less than 10 days. In patients with severe asthmatic bronchitis, the symptoms are recurrent and usually last between 30 days to even 2 years with flares and remissions.
• Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection is the most common type of infection acquired by patients while hospitalized. VRE are enterococci that have become resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. There are only a few antibiotics that are able to treat VRE infections. However, newer antibiotics are being developed.
• Is Bronchitis Contagious Through Kissing? Bronchitis is a common issue that affects many people. Learn the signs of bronchitis, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
• Group B Strep Group B strep infection are from bacteria called Streptococcus agalactiae that may sometimes cause infections both in a pregnant woman and her baby. Symptoms include fever, seizures, heart rate abnormalities, breathing problems, and fussiness. Intravenous antibiotics are used to treat group B strep infections.
• Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds If you have a COPD such as emphysema, avoiding chronic bronchitis and colds is important to avoid a more severe respiratory infection such as pneumonia. Avoiding cigarette smoking, practice good hygeine, stay away from crowds, and alerting your healthcare provider if you have a sinus infection or cold or cough that becomes worse. Treatment options depend upon the severity of the emphysema, bronchitis, or cold combination.
• Antibiotic Resistance Antibiotics are medications used to kill or slow the growth of bacteria and some fungi. The definition of antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to change (mutate) and grow in the presence of a drug (an antibiotic) that would normally slow its growth or kill it. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi become harder to treat. Antibiotic-resistant infections can lead to longer hospital stays, higher treatment costs, and more deaths.
• Can Pneumonia Go Away On Its Own? Mild pneumonia may be healed by body’s defense system. However severe cases of pneumonia require medical attention especially viral pneumonia.
• What are the Three Major Causes of Pneumonia? Pneumonia is a lung infection that affects many people. Learn the signs of pneumonia, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
• What Are the Main Causes of Bronchitis? Bronchitis is an inflammation of the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs. Learn the signs of bronchitis, what causes bronchitis, how doctors diagnose bronchitis, and what you can do to treat bronchitis.
• Laryngitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments Laryngitis is the inflammation of the voice box (larynx). If caused by a virus or bacteria, laryngitis may be contagious.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy (STDs) When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.

Treatment & Diagnosis

Medications & Supplements

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Medically Reviewed on 5/16/2023

References

FDA Prescribing Information