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Brand Names: PC Pen VK

Generic Name: penicillin V potassium (oral) (Pronunciation: PEN i SIL in V poe TAS ee um)

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

What is penicillin V potassium (PC Pen VK)?

Penicillin V potassium is a slow-onset antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body.

Penicillin V potassium is used to treat many different types of infections including strep and staph infections, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and infections affecting the mouth or throat.

Penicillin V potassium is also used to prevent infections of the heart valves in people with certain heart conditions who need to have dental work or surgery.

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

Pen VK 250 mg-TEV

oval, white, imprinted with 93, 1172

Pen VK 500 mg-TEV

oval, white, imprinted with 9 3, 1174

Penicillin VK 250 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with PVK 250, GG 949

What are the possible side effects of penicillin V potassium (PC Pen 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;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• fever, swollen glands, sore throat, rash or itching, joint pain, general ill feeling;
• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness; or
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin.

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

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

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.

What is the most important information I should know about penicillin V potassium (PC Pen VK)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to penicillin. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, Keflex, and others.

Before taking penicillin V potassium, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, 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 potassium can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking penicillin V potassium, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Penicillin V potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

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.

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