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Betapen-VK (Generic Penicillin V Potassium)

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Why is this medication prescribed?

Scarlet fever, pneumonia, various respiratory tract infections, ear, skin, gum, mouth, and throat infections are just a few of the bacterial illnesses that are treated with penicillin V potassium. Additionally, it is used to stop the recurrence of rheumatic fever, a dangerous disorder that may arise following a strep throat or scarlet fever infection and cause heart valve swelling among other symptoms. A group of medicines known as penicillins includes penicillin V potassium. It eliminates bacteria to operate.

Colds, the flu, and other viral diseases cannot be treated with antibiotics like penicillin V potassium. Antibiotic use that is not necessary raises the likelihood of developing a later infection that is resistant to antibiotic treatment.

How should this medicine be used?

It is possible to take oral solutions (liquids) and tablets of penicillin V potassium by mouth. It is often used every 6 hours (four times a day) or every 8 hours for the treatment of infections (three times a day). It is often given twice day to avoid rheumatic fever. The sort of infection you have will determine how long your therapy will last. Take potassium penicillin V at roughly the same time each day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. As recommended, take the potassium form of penicillin. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than recommended by your doctor.

Before each use, thoroughly shake the oral solution to combine the drug.

Even if you feel better, continue taking penicillin V potassium until the prescription is finished. Never stop taking potassium penicillin V without first consulting your doctor. Your illness could not be entirely healed if you stop taking penicillin V potassium too soon or if you miss doses, and the bacteria might develop an antibiotic resistance.

Other uses for this medicine

Some anthrax skin infections can also be treated with penicillin V potassium. It is occasionally used with other drugs to treat diphtheria (a serious sickness that causes problems breathing and other symptoms, uncommon in developed countries).

In some individuals with a heart disease who need dental or upper respiratory tract (nose, mouth, throat, voice box) procedures, penicillin V potassium is also occasionally taken to avoid a heart valve infection.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking penicillin V potassium,

  • If you have an allergy to cephalosporin antibiotics such cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefzolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, or cefoxitin, notify your doctor and pharmacist (Mefoxin), ceftibuten, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef), cephalexin (Keflex), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), any other drugs, or any of the components in penicillin V potassium tablets or oral solution.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • If you are now feeling nauseous or vomiting, let your doctor know. Additionally, let your doctor know if you now or ever had renal illness, hay fever, asthma, or allergies.
  • Inform your physician if you are nursing a baby, intend to get pregnant, or are already pregnant. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking potassium penicillin V.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects from penicillin V potassium are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdomen ache
  • Black tongue with hairs

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

  • Rash
  • Hives
  • Itching
  • Hoarseness
  • Wheezing
  • Breathing or swallowing challenges
  • Swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat
  • Aching joints
  • Recurrence of infection-related symptoms including fever, chills, or sore throat
  • Severe diarrhoea (watery or bloody faeces), which may or may not be accompanied by fever and cramping in the stomach (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)

Other negative effects of potassium penicillin V are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store the pills away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Keep the oral solution tightly covered in the refrigerator, and after 14 days, discard any leftover medication. Avoid freezing it.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

In case of emergency/overdose

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab.

No one else should take your medication. It’s likely that your prescription cannot be renewed. Once you’ve finished the penicillin V potassium, call your doctor if you continue to experience infection-related symptoms.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Beepen-VK®
  • Betapen-VK®
  • Ledercillin VK®
  • Pen-Vee K®
  • Penapar-VK®
  • Uticillin VK®
  • V-Cillin K®
  • Veetids®
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