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In this Article

• What is penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?
• What are the possible side effects of penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?
• What is the most important information I should know about penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?
• How should I take penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Penicillin VK)?
• What happens if I overdose (Penicillin VK)?
• What should I avoid while taking penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?
• What other drugs will affect penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to penicillin V or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:

• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox);
• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);
• carbenicillin (Geocillin);
• dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen); or
• oxacillin (Bactocill).

Before using penicillin V, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others), or if you have:

• asthma;
• kidney disease;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or
• a history of any type of allergy.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take penicillin V.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Penicillin V can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking penicillin V, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills.

Penicillin V can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take penicillin V with or without food.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Penicillin V will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not give penicillin V to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using penicillin V.

Store penicillin V tablets at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Store liquid penicillin V in a refrigerator but do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any liquid penicillin that has not been used within 14 days after it was mixed at the pharmacy.