Truxcillin-VK

Penicillin V potassium, also known as Penicillin VK, is a prescription medication used to treat mild to moderate infections of the ears, nose, throat, and skin. It is also used to treat scarlet fever and to prevent rheumatic fever. Penicillin V potassium belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics, which stop the growth of bacteria in the body.

This medication comes in tablet and oral (by mouth) solution forms and may be taken 2 to 4 times a day, with or without food.

Common side effects of penicillin V potassium include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, and black hairy tongue.

Truxcillin-VK is part of the drug class:

• Beta lactamase sensitive penicillins

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• probenecid (Probalan, Benemid)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• birth control pills

This is not a complete list of penicillin V potassium drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with penicillin V potassium including:

• hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction). This type of reaction may be serious and possibly fatal. These reactions are more likely to occur in those with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start to develop signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction, which include the following:
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • fainting
  • rash

• diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics, and it usually ends when the antibacterial is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as 2 or more months after having taken their last dose of the antibacterial. If diarrhea is severe or lasts more than 2 or 3 days, contact your doctor, as this may be a sign of an infection of the bowels.
• superinfection. Penicillin V potassium should not be used for extended periods. Prolonged use can lead to the growth of dangerous organisms that are resistant to penicillin V potassium. Take this medication for the duration prescribed by your doctor.

Do not take penicillin V potassium if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

Before taking penicillin V potassium, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to penicillin V potassium or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to similar antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins)
• have a history of other allergies
• have a history of asthma
• have kidney problems
• have stomach problems
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Penicillin V potassium falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with penicillin V potassium. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.