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What are the possible side effects of penicillin V?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking penicillin V 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 V 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 V?

• Some drugs may decrease the effects of penicillin V and prevent it from properly treating your infection. Before taking penicillin V, 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 V may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control while taking penicillin V to protect against pregnancy.
• Penicillin V increases the effects of methotrexate, and you may need a dose adjustment during therapy with penicillin V.
• Penicillin V also increases the side effects of allopurinol (Zyloprim) and may cause a rash.
• Probenecid (Benemid) increases the effects of penicillin V. 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 V. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about penicillin V written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

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Version: 3.03. Revision date: 3/12/03.