Penicillin V (Phenoxymethyl Penicillin, Penicillin V Potassium)

A to Z Drug Facts

Penicillin V (Phenoxymethyl Penicillin, Penicillin V Potassium)

	Action
	Indications
	Contraindications
	Route/Dosage
	Interactions
	Lab Test Interferences
	Adverse Reactions
	Precautions
Patient Care Considerations
	Administration/Storage
	Assessment/Interventions
	Patient/Family Education

(pen-ih-SILL-in V)

Beepen-VK

Tablets: 250 mg

Tablets: 500 mg

Powder for oral solution: 125 mg/5 mL

Powder for oral solution: 250 mg/5 mL

Pen-Vee K

Tablets: 250 mg

Tablets: 500 mg

Powder for oral solution: 125 mg/5 mL

Powder for oral solution: 250 mg/5 mL

Penicillin VK

Tablets: 250 mg

Tablets: 500 mg

Powder for oral solution: 125 mg/5 mL

Powder for oral solution: 250 mg/5 mL

Veetids

Tablets: 250 mg

Tablets: 500 mg

Powder for oral solution: 125 mg/5 mL

Veetids '250'

Powder for oral solution: 250 mg/5 mL

APO-Pen VK

Nadopen-V

Novo-Pen-VK

Nu-Pen-VK

Pen-Vee

PVF

PVF K

V-cillin K

Class: Antibiotic, Penicillin

Action Inhibits mucopeptide synthesis of bacterial cell wall.

Indications Treatment of upper respiratory tract infections; treatment of pneumococcal, streptococci, and staphylococcal infections and fusospirochetosis (Vincent's infection) of oropharynx caused by susceptible microorganisms.

Prophylactic treatment of sickle cell anemia in children; treatment of anaerobic infections; treatment of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi).

Contraindications Hypersensitivity to penicillins. Do not treat severe pneumonia, empyema, bacteremia, pericarditis, meningitis, and purulent or septic arthritis with oral penicillin V during acute stage.

Route/Dosage

Adults and Children over 12 yr: PO 125 to 500 mg qid.

Interactions

Beta-blockers: May potentiate anaphylactic reactions of penicillin. Contraceptives, oral: May reduce efficacy of oral contraceptives. Erythromycin: May cause synergism or antagonism to develop. Tetracyclines: May impair bactericidal effects of penicillin V.

Lab Test Interferences

Antiglobulin (Coombs') test: Drug may cause false-positive results.

Urine glucose test: Drug may cause false-positive results with copper sulfate tests (Benedict's test, Fehling's test or Clinitest tablets); enzyme-based tests (eg, Clinistix, Tes-tape) are not affected.

Urine protein determinations: Drug may cause false-positive reactions with sulfosalicylic acid and boiling test, acetic acid test, biuret reaction and nitric acid test; bromphenol blue test (Multi-Stix) is not affected.

Adverse Reactions

CNS: Dizziness; fatigue; insomnia; reversible hyperactivity; neurotoxicity (eg, lethargy, neuromuscular irritability, hallucinations, convulsions, seizures). EENT: Itchy eyes; furry tongue; black “hairy” tongue; stomatitis; sore mouth or tongue. GI: Glossitis; gastritis; dry mouth; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain or cramp; epigastric distress; diarrhea or bloody diarrhea; rectal bleeding; flatulence; enterocolitis; pseudomembranous colitis. GU: Interstitial nephritis (eg, oliguria, proteinuria, hematuria, hyaline casts, pyuria); nephropathy; increased BUN and creatinine. HEMATOLOGIC: Decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets; increased lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and platelets. METABOLIC: Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase; hypernatremia; hypokalemia; albumin, total proteins and uric acid. OTHER: Hypersensitivity reactions (eg, urticaria, angioneurotic edema, laryngospasm, laryngeal edema, bronchospasm, hypotension, vascular collapse, death, maculopapular to exfoliative dermatitis, vesicular eruptions, erythema multiforme, serum sickness, skin rashes, prostration); vaginitis; hyperthermia.

Precautions

Pregnancy: Category B. Lactation: Small amount excreted in breast milk. May cause diarrhea, candidiasis, or allergic response in nursing infant. Hypersensitivity: Reactions range from mild to life threatening. Administer drug with caution to cephalosporin-sensitive patients because of possible crossreactivity. Pseudomembranous colitis: May occur because of overgrowth of clostridia. Renal impairment: Use drug with caution; dosage adjustment may be necessary. Streptococcal infections: Therapy must be minimum of 10 days. Superinfection: May result in bacterial or fungal overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms.

PATIENT CARE CONSIDERATIONS

Administration/Storage

Administer without regard to food.
Administer at regular intervals around the clock.
Reconstituted oral suspension is stable for 14 days when refrigerated. Shake well before using.

Assessment/Interventions

Obtain patient history, including drug history and any known allergies.
Assess patient for infection at beginning and throughout therapy (eg, fever, WBC, appearance of wound).
Obtain specimens for culture and sensitivity before beginning therapy.
Observe for anaphylaxis. People with no history of hypersensitivity may develop allergic response.
Assess for signs of superinfection (eg, bacterial or fungal overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms).
Monitor renal function, especially in patients with renal impairment.
If patient develops rash, pruritus, laryngeal edema, wheezing or evidence of hemolytic anemia (positive Coomb's test), or other signs of an allergic reaction, discontinue drug and notify health care provider.
If sudden elevation in temperature develops, notify health care provider; it may be drug fever.
Discontinue use of penicillin V if signs of hemolytic anemia develop (positive Coomb's test).

OVERDOSAGE: SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
	Neuromuscular hyperexcitability, agitation, confusion, asterixis, hallucinations, stupor, coma, multifocal myoclonus, encephalopathy, hyperkalemia

Patient/Family Education

Instruct patient to complete entire course of therapy even if feeling better.
Advise patient to use calibrated measuring device for liquid preparation.
Instruct penicillin allergic patient to carry Medi-Alert necklace or bracelet.
Advise patient to use nonhormonal form of contraceptive during penicillin V therapy.
Inform patient of the signs of hypersensitivity (eg, skin rash, itching, hives, shortness of breath, wheezing) and other side effects, such as black tongue, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, fever, swollen joints. Instruct patient to notify health care provider if these symptoms occur.
Instruct patient to notify health care provider if there is no improvement in symptoms of infection.
Instruct patient to notify health care provider of signs of superinfection (eg, vaginitis, black “hairy” tongue).