Indications

For use in the treatment of mild to moderately severe infections caused by penicillin sensitive organisms.

Dosage and Administration

Usage:oral use.

Dosage: 

1.Adults: The dosage is 250-500 mg every six hours.

2.Elderly: The dosage is as for adults. The dosage should be reduced if renal function is markedly impaired.

3.Prophylactic Use: The dosage is 250 mg daily for long term prophylaxis of rheumatic fever.

4.Paediatric population

Children 1-5 years: 125 mg every six hours

6-12 years: 250 mg every six hours

Precautions & Warning:

1.All degree of hypersensitivity, including fatal anaphylaxis, have been observed with oral penicillin. These reactions are more likely occur in individuals with a history of sensitivity to penicillin, cephalosporin, and other allergens.Enquiry should be made for such a history before therapy with a penicillin begins. If an allergic reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued, and the patient treated with the usual agents (e.g. Adrenaline and other pressor amines, antihistamines and other corticosteroids).

2.Oral therapy should not be relied upon in patients with severe illness, or with nausea, vomiting, gastric dilation, cardiospasm or intestinal hypermotility.Occasionally, patients do not absorb therapeutic amounts of orally administered penicillin.

3.Administer with caution in the presence of markedly impaired renal function, as the safe dosage may be lower than the usually recommended.

4.Streptococcal infections should be treated for a minimum of 10 days and post therapy cultures should be performed to confirm the eradication of the organisms.

5.Prolonged use of antibiotics may promote the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms including fungi. If super-infection occurs, appropriate measures should be taken.

6.Each tablet of  PENICILLIN VK 500 mg film-coated tablets contains 28 mg of potassium, which may be harmful to people on low potassium diets and may cause stomach upset, diarrhoea and hyperkalaemia. High doses should be used with caution in patients receiving potassium-containing drugs or potassium sparing-diuretics.

7.During treatment with PENICILLIN VK non-enzymatic glucose tests may be false-positive.

Contraindications:

1.PENICILLIN VK is contraindicated in patients with known penicillin hypersensitivity.

2.Attention should be paid to possible cross-sensitivity with other beta-lactam antibiotics e.g. cephalosporins. Severe acute infections should not be treated with PENICILLIN VK.

Adverse Reactions:

1.Hypersensitivity

Potential allergic reactions include urticaria, angioneurotic oedema, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, fever, joint pain, serum sickness-like reactions, haemolytic anaemia, interstitial nephritis or anaphylactic shock (which could be fatal) with collapse and anaphylactoid reactions (asthma, purpura, gastrointestinal symptoms).

2.Gastro-intestinal tract

PENICILLIN VK potassium is generally well tolerated. Occasionally soft stools occur and they do not require the interruption of the treatment. Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomatitis and glossitis are sometimes seen.

3.Blood

Eosinophilia, haemolytic anaemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis are extremely rare. Other possible effects on the blood composition include: neutropenia, haemolytic anaemia and coagulation disorders.

4.Central nervous system

Central nervous system toxicity, including convulsions, has been reported, especially following high doses or in severe renal impairment. Paraesthesia has been reported with prolonged use.

Storage instructions:

Do not store above 25° C.