What is penicillin V potassium?
Penicillin V potassium is an antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections. 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). Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections.
Health Benefits
Penicillin V potassium is used to treat certain bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and ear infections. It also is used to prevent strep throat (a bacterial infection that can cause serious illness). Penicillin V potassium is in a class of antibiotics called penicillins. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.
Side Effects
Side effects from penicillin V potassium are generally mild and tend to go away once your body adjusts to the medication. The most common side effects include:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
stomach pain or cramps
headache
rash
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
Dosage and Administration
Penicillin V potassium can be taken by mouth with or without food. For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time(s) every day.
If you are taking the chewable form of this medication, chew thoroughly before swallowing. If you are taking the oral powder, mix it with 4 ounces (120 milliliters) of water, juice, or soda just before taking. Stir well and drink all of the mixture right away.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. For children, the dosage may also be based on weight. To prevent strep throat, the recommended dose is 250 mg twice daily for 10 days. For other infections, the recommended adult dose is 250 mg every 6 hours, 400 mg every 8 hours, or 500 mg every 12 hours. The maximum recommended adult dose is 4 grams per day.
If you are using the extended-release tablets (250-mg or 500-mg tablets), take them with a full glass or 8 ounces (240 milliliters) of water. Swallow the tablets whole; do not chew or crush them.
For children younger than 3 years, the recommended dose is 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 6 hours for 10 days. For children weighing more than 50 kg, the recommended dose is 500 mg twice daily for 10 days.
For preventing strep throat in children, the recommended dose is 12.5 mg/kg once daily for 10 days.
To treat a skin infection, the recommended adult dose is 250 mg 4 times daily for 7 to 10 days. For children, the recommended dose is 25 mg/kg1 4 times daily (up to 1 g 4 times daily) for 71⁄2 to 10 days.
To treat a urinary tract infection, the recommended adult dose is 250 mg every 6 hours for 7 days. For children, the recommended dose is 25 mg/kg (up to 1 g) 3 times daily for 7 days.
For pneumonia, the recommended adult dose is 500 mg 3 or 4 times daily for 7 to 14 days. For children, the recommended dose is 25 to 50 mg/kg 2 or 4 times daily (up to 2 g 4 times daily) for 7 to 14 days.
The duration of therapy depends on the type and severity of infection. For ear infections, the recommended adult dose is 250 mg 3 times daily for 10 days. For children, the recommended dose is 25 mg/kg 3 times daily for 10 days.
For sinus infections, the recommended adult dose is 500 mg 3 times daily for 10 days. For children, the recommended dose is 50 mg/kg 3 times daily (up to 2 g 3 times daily) for 10 days.
To treat a throat infection, the recommended adult dose is 250 mg 3 times daily for 7 days. For children, the recommended dose is 25 mg/kg 3 times daily (up to 1 g 3 times daily) for 7 days.
Interactions
Penicillin V potassium can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with penicillin V potassium are listed below.
Brand names: Bactocill, Beepen VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-Vee K, Robicillin VK, Veetids
Generic name: penicillin V potassium
Drug class: anti-infectives; beta-lactamase inhibitors
