Phenoxymethylpenicillin potassium or penicillin VK is an antibiotic drug used to treat various bacterial infectious diseases, such as infections of the respiratory tract, ear, teeth, skin, or throat.
Penicillin VK is a potassium salt of penicillin V. Drugs belonging to this type of penicillin antibiotic work by interfering with the formation of bacterial cell walls. This way of working will trigger the death of bacterial cells, so the infection can be resolved. Penicillin VK cannot be used to treat viral infections, such as the flu.
Penicillin VK trademark: Phenoxymethyl Penicillin Potassium, Phenoxymethyl Penicillin
What is Penicillin VK
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Penicillin antibiotics |
| Benefit | Treating bacterial infections |
| Consumed by | Children to adults |
| Penicillin VK for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Penicillin VK can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Shape | Tablet |
Precautions Before Taking Penicillin VK
There are several things you should pay attention to before taking penicillin VK, namely:
- Do not take penicillin VK if you are allergic to this drug or to other penicillin drugs, such as ampicillin.
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to other beta-lactam antibiotics, such as cephalosporins.
- Tell your doctor if you have asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, kidney disease, phenylketonuria, or colitis
- Talk to your doctor if you plan to vaccinate while taking penicillin VK, as this drug may decrease the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction, overdose, or serious side effects after taking penicillin VK.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Penicillin VK
The dose of penicillin VK will be adjusted according to the goals of treatment and the age of the patient. Here are the details:
Purpose: Treating respiratory infections or otitis media
- Mature: 250–500 mg, every 6 hours.
- Children >12 years old: 250–500 mg, every 6–8 hours.
- Children aged 6–12 years: 250 mg, every 6 hours.
- Children aged 1–5 years: 125 mg, every 6 hours.
- Children <1 year old: 62.5 mg, every 6 hours.
Purpose: Treating sore throat due to infection Streptococcus
- Mature: 500 mg, every 12 hours or 250 mg, every 6 hours, for 10 days.
- Teenager: 250 mg, every 6 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours for 10 days.
- Children: 250 mg, every 8–12 hours for 10 days.
Purpose: Treating erysipelas
- Mature: 500 mg, every 6 hours.
Purpose: Treating infections of the teeth and surrounding tissues (periodontium)
- Mature: 250–500 mg, every 6 hours, for 5–7 days.
Purpose: Treating actinomycosis
- Mature: 2–4 grams divided into 4 doses per day, for 8 weeks.
How to Take Penicillin VK Correctly
Follow the directions for use given by the doctor and read the instructions for use on the drug packaging. Penicillin VK tablets are more easily absorbed by the body if taken 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals. If the stomach feels sick after taking the drug, take the next dose with food.
Try to take penicillin VK at the same time each day to optimize the effect of the drug. If you forget to take penicillin VK, take this drug immediately if the break with the next schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Do not stop taking penicillin VK even if your symptoms improve. Stopping taking the drug before the allotted time can make bacteria resistant to antibiotics and increase the risk of a relapse of the condition.
Store the medicine in its package in a cool and dry place. Keep medicine out of reach of children.
Interaction of Penicillin VK with Other Drugs
The following drug interactions can occur if penicillin VK is used with certain drugs:
- Decreased ability of penicillin VK to kill bacteria when used with chloramphenicol, erythromycin, neomycin, or tetracycline
- Increased risk of bleeding if used with warfarin
- Increased risk of methotrexate side effects
- Decreased effectiveness of live vaccines, such as typhoid vaccine
- Decreased effectiveness of birth control pills
- Increased blood levels of penicillin VK when used with probenecid or sulfinpyrazone
Side Effects and Dangers of Penicillin VK
A number of side effects that can occur after taking penicillin VK are:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Ulcer
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhea
- The tongue becomes black and hairy
Check with your doctor if the side effects above do not improve or get worse. See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction or serious side effects, such as:
- Feeling tired
- Joint or muscle pain
- Easy bruising
Although rare, sometimes the use of penicillin VK can cause infection Clostridium difficile, which can be characterized by symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, or bloody or slimy stools. In addition, long-term use of penicillin VK can increase the risk of oral thrush.
