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What is Penicillin
 Penicillin
is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillins.
It fights bacteria in your body.
Penicillin
is used to treat many different types of infections, such
as tonsillitis, pneumonia, strep throat, bronchitis, and infections
of the skin.
Penicillin
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Penicillin
Take all of the Penicillin that has been prescribed
for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms
may begin to improve before the infection is completely
treated.
Penicillin may decrease the effectiveness
of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control
while taking Penicillin to protect against pregnancy.
Who should not take Penicillin
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to another
penicillin or to a cephalosporin, do not take Penicillin unless your doctor is aware of your allergy and monitors
your therapy.
Before taking this medication, tell
your doctor if you have kidney disease, stomach or intestinal
disease, or infectious mononucleosis. You may not be able
to take Penicillin because of an increased risk of side
effects.
If you are a diabetic, some glucose urine
tests may give false positive results while you are taking
Penicillin.
Penicillin is in the FDA pregnancy
category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn
baby. Do not, however, take Penicillin without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is not known
whether Penicillin passes into breast milk. Do not take
this medication without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Penicillin Take Penicillin exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Penicillin can
be taken with or without food. Do not drink fruit juice
or carbonated beverages (soda) with your dose, however.
These beverages will decrease the effectiveness of the drug.
Penicillin should be taken at evenly spaced intervals
throughout the day and night to keep the level in your blood
high enough to treat the infection.
Shake the liquid
form of Penicillin well before measuring a dose. To ensure
that you get a correct dose, measure the suspension with
a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular tablespoon.
If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist
where you can get one.
Take all of the Penicillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to
feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the
infection is completely treated.
Store the tablets
and capsules at room temperature and store the suspension
in the refrigerator for longer use. The suspension is good
for 14 days if it is stored in the refrigerator. Throw away
any unused liquid after this amount of time.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you
missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise
directed by your doctor.
If you have only missed
one dose, you can take the rest of your scheduled doses
for the day at evenly spaced intervals.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of an Penicillin overdose include muscle spasms or weakness,
pain or twitching, pain in the fingers or toes, loss of
feeling in the fingers or toes, seizures, confusion, coma,
and agitation.
Avoid while taking Penicillin Alcohol may irritate your stomach if taken with Penicillin, so use it with moderation.
Possible side effects of Penicillin If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Penicillin and seek emergency medical
attention:
- an allergic reaction (shortness of breath;
closing of your throat; hives; swelling of your lips, face,
or tongue; rash; or fainting);
- seizures;
-
severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps; or
-
unusual bleeding or bruising.
Other, less serious
side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take
Penicillin and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain;
-
white patches on the tongue (thrush/yeast infection);
-
itching or discharge of the vagina (vaginal yeast infection);
or
- black, "hairy" tongue or sore mouth
or tongue.
Side effects other than those listed here
may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect
that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Penicillin Some drugs may decrease the effects of Penicillin and prevent it from properly treating your infection.
Before taking Penicillin, tell your doctor if you are
taking any of the following drugs:
- cholestyramine
(Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); or
- another
antibiotic (for the same or for a different infection) such
as erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., others), tetracycline
(Sumycin, others), minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline (Doryx,
Vibramycin, others), or any other.
Penicillin may
decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a
second method of birth control while taking Penicillin
to protect against pregnancy.
Penicillin increases
the effects of methotrexate, and you may need a dose adjustment
during therapy with Penicillin.
Penicillin also
increases the side effects of allopurinol (Zyloprim) and
may cause a rash.
Probenecid (Benemid) increases
the effects of Penicillin. These drugs may be used together
for this purpose; however, be sure your doctor is aware
if you are taking probenecid. You may need a lower dose
of penicillin.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Penicillin.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |
