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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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.

Take the medicine with a full glass of water.

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.

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 penicillin V to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using penicillin V.

Store penicillin V at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Before taking penicillin V, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); or

• probenecid (Benemid).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use penicillin V, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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.

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.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a penicillin V overdose may include confusion, behavior changes, a severe skin rash, urinating less than usual, or seizure (black-out or convulsions).

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.

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.

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.

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;

• a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or

• a history of any type of allergy.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use penicillin V, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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.

Penicillin V can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Your pharmacist has information about penicillin V written for health professionals that you may read.

Penicillin V is available with a prescription generically and under several brand names. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.