Things you need to know about Penicillin V Tablets

When you have a sore throat with a fever or a cold, the doctor has probably given you this penicillin pill, right? Maybe you have received this medicine for a wound or some other infection. So, today we will talk about the exact details about this medicine called Penicillin V, which almost all of us have heard of and used.

What is Penicillin V?

Simply put, Penicillin V is an antibiotic. It belongs to the penicillin group of drugs. Its main function is to kill certain types of bacteria that have entered our body and cure infections caused by them.

So the most important thing to remember is that this medicine does not work at all against viral infections. That is, it will not cure diseases caused by viruses like the common cold, flu, and dengue. This medicine will only be prescribed if the doctor has correctly diagnosed your illness as a bacterial infection.

Things to tell your doctor before taking medication

Before prescribing Penicillin V, your doctor will ask you a few questions. It is important for your safety that you answer them truthfully . Be sure to tell them if you have any of the conditions below.

• If you have asthma: People with asthma and other allergies are more likely to have allergies to certain medications.
• If you have intestinal diseases: For example, if you have diseases such as ``Colitis``, a disease that causes ulcers in the intestines, some types of antibiotics can aggravate those conditions.
• If you have skin diseases such as eczema: These people are also at risk of allergic reactions to some medications.
• If you have kidney disease: The kidneys play a major role in removing medication from our body. So, if there is any weakness in the kidneys, it may affect the removal of this medication from the body. Therefore, the doctor may have to change the dosage.
• Previous allergies: This is the most important thing. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have had any previous allergies to penicillin, cephalosporin antibiotics, any other medications, foods, or preservatives .
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.

Based on this information, your doctor will decide whether or not this medication is right for you, and if so, how to give it.

How should I use this medicine?

This is very simple, but very important.

• Take exactly as your doctor prescribes: how many times a day, how much, and at what hours. Try to take it at the same time every day.
• Before or after meals: This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, some people may experience stomach upset after taking it. If this happens, it is best to take it with food.
• Complete the prescribed period: This is the biggest mistake that many people make. Do not stop taking the medicine just because the pain subsides while you are taking it. If the doctor has given you a medicine for 5, 7 or 10 days, you should finish the entire period of taking the medicine. If you do not do so, the disease may not be completely cured and may recur. Also, the bacteria may become accustomed to the medicine (antibiotic resistance), and the medicine may not work the next time you give it.
• If you miss a dose: If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
• If you take too much: If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .

Things to be careful about when taking medicine

• If the illness does not improve: If your symptoms do not improve even after taking the medication, tell your doctor.
• Severe skin reactions: Rarely, severe skin reactions may occur, even weeks after starting this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop a fever or a rash with red or purple blisters, peeling skin, or swelling of the face, lips, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits .
• Diarrhea: Some people may get diarrhea while taking antibiotics. However, if you have severe diarrhea that lasts more than two days and is watery, do not self-medicate with over-the-counter medication. Talk to your doctor about it.
• If you have diabetes: If you have diabetes, you may get false-positive results when testing your urine for sugar while taking this medication. So talk to your doctor about that as well.
• Birth control pills: This is very important. If you are taking birth control pills, they may be less effective while taking Penicillin V. Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor about using an additional form of birth control (such as condoms) to prevent pregnancy.

Interactions with other drugs

Penicillin V may interact with other medications you are taking. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements) . This is especially important if you are taking any of the following medications:

• Birth control pills
• Methotrexate
• Other antibiotics
• Probenecid `(Probenecid)`
• Some types of vaccines

Side effects that may occur due to medication

Like any medicine, Penicillin V can cause side effects in some people. Although most of these are minor, there are some things to be aware of.

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