Penicillin V Potassium (Beepen-VK) Antibiotic Uses & Side Effects

What is penicillin v potassium? What is penicillin v potassium?

Penicillin V potassium is penicillin antibiotic
that is administered orally. Penicillin V potassium kills bacteria by inhibiting
bacterial cell wall synthesis. Some bacterial species against which penicillin V
potassium has shown high in-vitro activity include some species of
staphylococci, streptococci (groups A, C, G, H, L, and M), and pneumococci.
Other bacterial species against which this medication has activity includes
Corynebacterium diphtheria, Bacillus anthracis, Clostridia, Actinomyces bovis,
Streptobacillus moniliformis, Listeria
monocytogenes, Leptospira, Neisseria
gonorrhea, and Treponema pallidum.

Penicillin V potassium offers some distinct advantages over penicillin G.
Penicillin V potassium is much more resistant to inactivation by stomach
acidity, and therefore results in better drug absorption and higher levels in
the blood. On average, blood levels of penicillin V potassium is two to five
times higher than that observed with same dose of oral penicillin G.

Penicillin V potassium was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) in 1956.

What brand names are available for penicillin v potassium?

Beepen-VK, Penicillin VK, V-Cillin-K

Is penicillin v potassium available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for penicillin v potassium?

Yes

What are the side effects of penicillin v potassium?

The most common side effects to oral penicillin are:

Rare (occurring at frequency of <1%) but serious side effects include:

acute kidney damage,
seizures,
severe skin rashes, and
hemolytic
anemia.

Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with penicillin use.

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What is the dosage for penicillin v potassium?

The usual recommended dosage for adults and children 12 years and
older are as follows:

Which drugs or supplements interact with penicillin v potassium?

Penicillin V potassium may inhibit the renal tubular secretion (elimination
of the drug via the kidneys) of methotrexate (Trexall,
Rheumatrex). Co-administration may
result in higher blood levels of methotrexate and increases the risk of
methotrexate toxicity (side effects).

Penicillin V potassium may interfere with the effectiveness of the live
typhoid vaccine. Administration of the vaccine must be separated by at least 24
hours from the last dose of the antibiotic.

Antibiotics such as penicillin V potassium may decrease the effectiveness of
certain oral contraceptives or
birth control pills. Patients may use an
alternative form of birth control (for example, condoms) while on antibiotic
therapy to prevent unexpected pregnancies.

Penicillin antibiotics may inhibit vitamin K synthesis due to their effect on
the normal intestinal flora. Therefore, co-administration of warfarin (a vitamin
K antagonist) with penicillin V potassium may increase the risk of bleeding.

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Is penicillin v potassium safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

Penicillin V potassium is classified as FDA pregnancy risk
category B (Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the
fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in
pregnant women).
Use of penicillin products in humans has not shown any evidence of fetal harm.
Additionally, no evidence of fetal harm has been reported in animal studies.
However, there is a lack of adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant
women. As with all medications, use of penicillin V potassium during pregnancy
requires careful evaluation of treatment benefits and potential risk to the
fetus.

Penicillin V potassium is excreted in breast milk.
Penicillin products have been reported to cause diarrhea, candidiasis (fungal
infections), and
skin rash in breast feed babies. Due to the lack of safety
data, this medication should be used cautiously in females who are
breastfeeding. Penicillin type antibiotics are used for treating infection in
children.

What else should I know about penicillin v potassium?

What preparations of penicillin v potassium are available?

Powder for oral solution: 125 mg/5 ml (100 ml, 200 ml); 250
mg/5 ml (100 ml, 200 ml); Tablets: 250 mg, 500 mg

How should I keep penicillin v potassium stored?

Reconstituted product may be stored for up to 14 days and requires
refrigeration 2.2 C to 7.7 C (36 F to 46 F). Un-reconstituted product and oral
tablets may be stored at room temperature between 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F).