Penicillin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Use

What is penicillin (penicillin) for?

Penicillin, also known as penicillin, is an antibiotic commonly used to:

• Management of many types of infections including streptococcus and staphylococcus infections, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and infections affecting the mouth and throat.
• Prevent heart vessel infection in people with heart problems.

How do you use penicillin?

Take penicillin as recommended by your doctor. Do not share penicillin with other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you.

Shake the bottle before consumption if you are using penicillin in syrup form. Be careful in measuring the dose using a measuring tool / spoon. Don't use a regular spoon, or you can measure it incorrectly.

Penicillin drugs can be taken with or without food. Penicillin is a drug that is best absorbed by the body on an empty stomach (1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating).

How to store this drug?

Penicillin or penicillin should be stored in the refrigerator. To prevent drug breakdown, do not freeze it. Other brands of penicillin can have different storage rules.

Pay attention to the storage instructions on the packaging of your product, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush this medication in the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your medication.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of penicillin for adults?

The dose of penicillin or penicillin for adults depends on the patient's condition. The following is the recommended dosage:

• Streptococcal infection: 125-250 mg orally every 6-8 hours for 10 days.
• Pneumococcal upper respiratory infection: 250-500 mg taken every 6 hours until you have no more fever for at least 2 days.
• Staphylococcal smooth muscle or skin infection: 250-500 mg taken every 6-8 hours.
• Prevention of rheumatic fever or chorea or both: 125-250 mg orally 2 times a day.
• Fusospirochetosis (oropharynx infection): 250-500 mg orally every 6-8 hours.

What is the dose of penicillin for children?

The dose of penicillin or penicillin for children depends on the patient's condition. The following is the recommended dosage:

Streptococcal infection:

• Child dosage from 12-17 years: 125-250 mg orally every 6-8 hours for 10 days.
• Dosage for children from 0-11 years:

There is no provision for the dosage of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pneumococcal upper respiratory infection:

It has not been confirmed whether this drug is safe and effective for use in the treatment of Pneumococcal upper respiratory infections.

• Child dosage from 12-17 years: 250-500 mg orally every 6 hours until you no longer have a fever for at least 2 days
• Child dosage from 0-11 years: There is no prescribed dosage for this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Staphylococcal soft tissue or skin infections:

• Child dosage from 12-17 years: 250-500 mg orally every 6-8 hours.
• Child dosage from 0-11 years: There is no prescribed dosage for this medicine for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Prevention of rheumatic fever or chorea, or both:

• Dosage for children from 12-17 years: 125-250 mg orally 2 times a day.
• Child dosage from 0-11 years: There is no prescribed dosage for this medicine for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Fusospirochetosis (oropharynx infection):

• Child dosage from 12-17 years: 250-500 mg orally every 6-8 hours.
• Child dosage from 0-11 years: There is no prescribed dosage for this medicine for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage and preparation is this drug available?

Penicillin is available in the following dosages and forms:

• Tablets: 250 mg and 500 mg.
• Oral solution: 125 mg / 5 mL, 250 mg / 5 mL.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of penicillin?

Taking penicillin can cause several side effects, such as:

• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, black tongue (usually appears as normal pain)
• Allergic reactions, such as skin rash with or without hardening; flu-like symptoms, such as fever, feeling sick, or joint pain; swelling of the throat, tongue, or mouth; diarrhea, watery or bloody with or without stomach cramps and fever.

Not all experience this side effect. Many other side effects are not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using penicillin?

Before using penicillin, tell your doctor if you have problems:

• Allergy to penicillin, or other antibiotics (for example, amoxillin, ampicillin) or cephalosporins (for example, cephalexin, cefuroxime), and other ingredients present in the formulation
• Other drug allergies
• History of kidney disease
• Phenylketonuria (PKU), because penicillin can contain aspartame
• Pregnant or breastfeeding

Is this drug safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies on the risks of using penicillin in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Penicillin is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Interaction

What drugs might interact with penicillin?

Penicillin can interact with drugs that you are taking, which can change how the drug works or increase the risk of serious side effects.

To prevent this, you should keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval:

• Antibiotic drugs
• Family planning pills
• Methotrexate (Rheumatrex Trexall)
• Probenecid (Benemid)
• Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea, Periostat, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap)

Can food or alcohol interact with penicillin?

Penicillin drugs can interact with food or alcohol by changing how the drug works or increasing the risk of serious side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about this problem before taking this drug.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

Penicillin can interact with your health condition. These interactions can worsen health conditions or change how the drugs work. It is very important to always tell your doctor and healthcare provider about all your current health conditions, especially:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Allergic reactions, including a history of allergies
• Bleeding problems, including a history of bleeding problems
• Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• High blood pressure
• Cystic fibrosis
• Kidney illness
• Mononucleosis
• Phenylketonuria
• Stomach or intestinal disease, including history

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.