Fighting Off That Infection With Penicillin V

Penicillin V is the generic name for a class of antibiotic drugs called penicillin (brand names include: A-Cillin, Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, PC Pen VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, V-Cillin K, Veetids). Penicillin V is an orally active form of semi-synthetic antibiotics. As such, it is stable even in high humidity, and is able to withstand the gastric juices in the stomach. Penicillin V is used in the treatment of many mild to moderate infections, especially in areas where high tissues concentration is not a necessary condition: such as tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, strep throat, bronchitis, and infections of the skin.

With certain patients who have heart diseases, Penicillin V can prevent infections on their heart valves should they undergo dental surgery or gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures - as these actions usher in new bacteria into the blood and these bacteria later infect their heart valves.

Penicillin V (Phenoxymethylpenicillin) eliminates bacteria by blocking their abilities to synthesize cell walls as they try to reproduce themselves. This action will prevent the bacteria from getting a chance to further grow and populate themselves.

Ideally, Penicillin V is given half-to-one-hour before meals. However, for people who become allergic to it by acquiring such symptoms as stomach pain or nausea, Penicillin V may then be taken together with meals. Penicillin V should be taken at evenly spaced periods spread throughout the day. This is to keep their levels high enough in the blood to treat and ward off the infections. Continue to take all the prescribed Penicillin V even when the symptoms have started to improve, as the infection may not have been completely cured yet. Store the capsules or tablets at room temperature, and store the liquid penicillin in the refrigerator for longer usage. The liquid suspension is good for 14 days if it is refrigerated. Any unused remainder should be thrown away after this period. Shake the liquid form before taking a measured dose. The dosage can be measured with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, never with a regular tablespoon. Thus, be careful of overdosing on Penicillin V. Symptoms of its overdose will include muscle spasms or weakness, muscle pain or twitching, loss of feelings in the fingers or toes, pain in the fingers or toes, confusion, agitation, seizures and coma. Seek medical attention in such cases.

Should you have missed one dose, do not take a double dose in the next period. Skip it if by the time you remember, it's already close to the next dose. Otherwise, just take the dosage as soon as you remember it. If you have skipped, take one dose, that's all right, as long as the rest can still at regular intervals throughout the day. Alcohol should be avoided or used with moderation as it could irritate your stomach when you are treated with Penicillin V.

To know whether your treatment for fighting infections produces any side effects, which require emergency medical attention. It is important to watch for any signs of an allergic reaction, which might include symptoms of fainting, tongue, face, or lip swelling, throat closing, or problems breathing. You should also carefully watch for seizures, abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea, and bruising or bleeding that is unusual.

If you experience less severe side effects, continue taking the medication but talk to your doctor about your symptoms, which could include sore mouth, sore tongue, hairy tongue, black tongue, vaginal discharge, vaginal itch, trust, yeast infection, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Disclaimer: The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Penicillin.

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Copyright © 2006. The above article with information relating to Penicillin has been submitted by Heather Colman from: penicillin-shoppe.info.

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