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Beepen-VK/Betapen-VK

Generic Name: Penicillin V
Drug Category: Penicillin Antibiotic
Litigation Alert Level: Medium
This drug has been approved for use by males and females over the age of 0 year old for a maximum duration of 12 years.

Approved Uses

• Penicillin V potassium tablets and penicillin V potassium for oral solution are indicated in the treatment of mild to moderately severe infections due to penicillin G-sensitive microorganisms.Therapy should be guided by bacteriological studies (including sensitivity tests) and by clinical response.

The following infections will usually respond to adequate dosage of penicillin V.

• Streptococcal infections (without bacteremia). Mild-to-moderate infections of the upper respiratory tract, scarlet fever, and mild erysipelas. Streptococci in groups A, C, G, H, L, and M are very sensitive to penicillin. Other groups, including group D (enterococcus), are resistant.

• Pneumococcal infections. Mild to moderately severe infections of the respiratory tract.

• Staphylococcal infections—penicillin G-sensitive. Mild infections of the skin and soft tissues. Reports indicate an increasing number of strains of staphylococci resistant to penicillin G, emphasizing the need for culture and sensitivity studies in treating suspected staphylococcal infections.

• Fusospirochetosis (Vincent’s gingivitis and pharyngitis)—Mild to moderately severe infections of the oropharynx usually respond to therapy with oral penicillin. Necessary dental care should be accomplished in infections involving the gum tissue.

• Also indicated for medical conditions in which oral penicillin therapy is indicated as prophylaxis: For the prevention of recurrence following rheumatic fever and/or chorea: Prophylaxis with oral penicillin on a continuing basis has proven effective in preventing recurrence of these conditions.

Severe pneumonia, empyema, bacteremia, pericarditis, meningitis, and arthritis should not be treated with penicillin V during the acute stage. Indicated surgical procedures should be performed.

Oral penicillin should not be used in those patients at particularly high risk for endocarditis (e.g., those with prosthetic heart valves or surgically constructed systemic pulmonary shunts).

The oral route of administration should not be relied upon in patients with severe illness, or with nausea, vomiting, gastric dilatation, cardiospasm, or intestinal hypermotility.

Penicillin V should not be used as adjunctive prophylaxis for genitourinary instrumentation or surgery, lower-intestinal-tract surgery, sigmoidoscopy, and childbirth. Since it may happen that alpha hemolytic streptococci relatively resistant to penicillin may be found when patients are receiving continuous oral penicillin for secondary prevention of rheumatic fever, prophylactic agents other than penicillin may be chosen for these patients and prescribed in addition to their continuous rheumatic fever prophylactic regimen.

Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy. these reactions are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. there have been reports of individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity who have experienced severe reactions when treated with cephalosporins. Before initiating therapy with penicillin v potassium, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other allergens.

Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including penicillin V potassium tablets and penicillin V potassium for oral solution, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis.

Fever and eosinophilia may frequently be the only reaction observed. Hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, neuropathy, and nephropathy are infrequent reactions and usually associated with high doses of parenteral penicillin.

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Off-label Uses

• Prophylaxis treatment for streptococcus pneumoniae. GoToSource

• Prophylaxis treatment for children with sickle cell disease. GoToSource

• Early lyme disease. GoToSource

 Anaerobic infections. GoToSource

 Actinomycosis. GoToSource

• Prophylaxis for bacterial endocarditis for dental procedures. GoToSource

Adverse Events

Jarisch-herxheimer reaction (inflammatory response). GoToSource

Anaphylactic shock. GoToSource

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (severe drug reaction). GoToSource

Urticaria (hives). GoToSource

Hoigne’s syndrome (non-allergic reaction with severe agitation, confusion, visual and auditory hallucinations). GoToSource

Serum sickness (allergic reaction). GoToSource

Acute segmental hemorrhagic colitis. GoToSource

Arterial vascular occlusion (blockage of a blood vessel). GoToSource

Immune haemolytic anaemia (antibodies form against the body’s red blood cells). GoToSource    

Black hairy tongue. GoToSource

Diarrhea. GoToSource

Litigation

Lawsuits filed for stevens-johnson syndrome. 

The material contained in GoToPills is for informational purposes only and not intended to replace the judgment, evaluation and treatment of physicians, pharmacists and other healthcare providers. GoToPills does not provide medical advice, diagnoses or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition or treatment.

 

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Site Last Updated March 28, 2024