• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is penicillin V?
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.

Back to Top

What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

Back to Top

What are the possible side effects of penicillin V?

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. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Back to Top

How should I take penicillin V?
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.

Back to Top

What is the most important information I should know about penicillin V?
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, 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.

Back to Top

What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Back to Top

What other drugs will affect penicillin V?
Before taking penicillin V, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); or probenecid (Benemid). This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with penicillin V. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Back to Top

Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Penicillin has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of fetotoxicity or teratogenicity. Adverse effects have not been reported during human use; however, there are no controlled data in human pregnancies. Penicillin should only be given during pregnancy when need has been clearly established.

Penicillin is excreted into human milk in small amounts. Risk to the nursing infant is unlikely. The manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering penicillin to nursing women.

Back to Top

Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to any penicillin.

Back to Top

What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include confusion, behavior changes, a severe skin rash, urinating less than usual, or seizure (black-out or convulsions).

Back to Top

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking penicillin V?
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;

Back to Top

Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

Back to Top

I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

Back to Top

Where can I get more information?
More Information

Back to Top