Penicillin VK

Penicillin VK is a prescription medication used to treat Streptococcal Pharyngitis, Actinomycosis, Erysipelas, Periodontal Infections, Recurrent Rheumatic Fever, Rheumatic Fever, and Pneumococcal Systemic Infections.

• Penicillin VK is available under the following different brand names: Pen Vee K, Penicillin V, Veetids

Adult and pediatric dosage

Oral solution

• 125mg/5mL
• 250mg/5mL

Tablet

• 250mg
• 500mg

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Adult dosage

• 500 mg orally every 12 hours or 250 mg orally every 6 hours for 10 days

Pediatric dosage

• Children: 250 mg orally every 8-12 hours for 10 days
• Adolescents: 250 mg orally every 6 hours or 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Actinomycosis

Adult dosage

• Mild: 2-4 g/day orally divided every 6 hours for 8 weeks
• Surgical: 2-4 g/day orally divided every 6 hours for 6-12 months

Erysipelas

Adult dosage

• 500 mg orally every 6 hours

Periodontal Infections

Adult dosage

• 250-500 mg orally every 6 hours for 5-7 days

Recurrent Rheumatic Fever

Adult dosage

• Prophylaxis: 250 mg orally every 12 hours

Pediatric dosage

Prophylaxis

• Children: 125-250 mg orally every 12 hours on a continuing basis

Rheumatic Fever

Pediatric dosage

Primary prevention

• Children younger than 5 years of age: 125 mg every 12 hours orally for 10 days
• Children older than 5 years of age: 250 mg every 12 hours orally for 10 days

Pneumococcal Systemic Infections

Pediatric dosage

• Children younger than 12 years of age: 50-75 mg/kg/day orally every 6-8 hours
• Not to exceed 3 g/day
• Children 12 years of age or older: 250-500 mg orally every 6-8 hours until the patient is afebrile for at least 2 days

Prophylaxis

• Children younger than 5 years of age: 125 mg orally every 12 hours
• Children older than 5 years of age: 250 mg orally every 12 hours

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See "Dosages."

Common side effects of Penicillin VK include:

• dry mouth, 
• loss of appetite, 
• weight loss, 
• sleep problems (insomnia), 
• fast heart rate, 
• feeling jittery, 
• dizziness, 
• anxiety, 
• irritableness, 
• nausea, 
• vomiting, 
• stomach pain, 
• diarrhea, and 
• constipation 

Serious side effects of Penicillin VK include:

• hives, 
• difficult breathing, 
• swelling in your face or throat, 
• chest pain, 
• pounding heartbeats, 
• fluttering in your chest, 
• lightheadedness, 
• hallucinations, 
• new behavior problems, 
• aggression, 
• hostility, 
• paranoia, 
• numbness, 
• pain, 
• cold feeling, 
• unexplained wounds, 
• skin color changes (pale, red, or blue appearance) in your fingers or toes, 
• agitation, 
• fever, 
• sweating, 
• shivering, 
• fast heart rate, 
• muscle stiffness, 
• twitching, 
• loss of coordination, 
• nausea, 
• vomiting, and 
• diarrhea

Rare side effects of Penicillin VK include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Penicillin VK has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Penicillin VK has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • BCG vaccine live
  • cholera vaccine
  • demeclocycline
  • doxycycline
  • minocycline
  • omadacycline
  • sarecycline
  • tetracycline
  • typhoid vaccine live
• Penicillin VK has moderate interactions with at least 14 other drugs.
• Penicillin VK has minor interactions with at least 14 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drugs interactions. Therefore, before using this drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins, or imipenem

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Penicillin VK?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Penicillin VK?”

Cautions

• Caution in severe renal impairment
• Prolonged use may result in superinfection
• Use with caution in patients with asthma history; IGE mediated anaphylactic reactions (eg, urticaria, anaphylaxis) reported
• Use with caution in neonates; some dosage forms may contain sodium benzoate/benzoic acid, which may cause fatal toxicity (gasping syndrome) when used in large amounts
• Adverse effects, including hemolytic anemia, serum sickness, or neutropenia, may occur with prolonged use; serum concentrations may increase with extended duration of therapy, especially in patients with renal insufficiency
• Use caution in patients with history of seizure disorders; high serum levels, especially in the presence of renal impairment, may increase risk of seizures

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Penicillin crosses the placenta; use during pregnancy generally has not resulted in an increased risk of fetal adverse effects
• Penicillin is excreted into breast milk; compatible with breastfeeding