Brand Names: PC Pen VK, Pen-V

Generic Name: penicillin V (Pronunciation: pen i SILL in)

• 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 is penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?

Penicillin V is an antibiotic in the penicillin group of drugs. It fights bacteria in your body.

Penicillin V is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as ear infections,.

Penicillin V may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Penicillin VK 250 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with PVK 250, GG 949

Penicillin VK 250 mg-MAJ

oval, white, imprinted with 16, BIOCRAFT

Penicillin VK 250 mg-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with 93, 5194

Penicillin VK 500 mg-TEV

oval, white, imprinted with 93, 5195

Penicillin VK 500 mg-UDL

round, white, imprinted with BL, 17

Veetids 250 mg

round, white, imprinted with BL V1

Veetids 500 mg

round, white, imprinted with BL V2

What are the possible side effects of penicillin V (Penicillin VK)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• severe skin rash, itching, or peeling;
• agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
• seizure (black-out or convulsions).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• headache;
• swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue; or
• thrush (white patches or inside your mouth or throat).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Penicillin VK (penicillin v potassium) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about 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), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), or oxacillin (Bactocill).

Before using penicillin V, tell your doctor if you are allergic to 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.

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.

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 this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.