$Unique_ID{BRK02074}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PENICILLIN G}
$Subject{penicillin G potassium (various manufacturers)
Pentids (Squibb)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PENICILLIN G
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     penicillin G potassium (various manufacturers)
     Pentids (Squibb)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Penicillin antibiotic
INGREDIENT:
     penicillin G potassium
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (200,000 units; 250,000 units; 400,000 units; 500,000 units; and
       800,000 units)
     Oral solution (200,000 units and 400,000 units per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Penicillin G tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
       closed container.  The oral solution should be stored in the
       refrigerator in a tightly closed container.  Any unused portion of the
       solution should be discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its
       potency after that time.  This medication should never be frozen.

USES

     Penicillin G is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections,
including infections of the middle ear, the respiratory tract, and the urinary
tract.  It acts by severely injuring the cell membranes of infecting bacteria,
thereby preventing them from growing and multiplying.  Penicillin G kills
susceptible bacteria, but it is not effective against viruses, parasites, or
fungi.

TREATMENT

     Penicillin G should be taken on an empty stomach or with a glass of water
one hour before or two hours after a meal.  This medication should never be
taken with fruit juices or carbonated beverages because the acidity of these
drinks destroys the drug in the stomach.
     The oral solution should be measured carefully with a specially designed
5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     Penicillin G works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is
kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
intervals day and night.  For example, if you are taking four doses a day, the
doses should be spaced six hours apart.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately.
However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost
time for the next dose, take it; space the following dose about halfway
through the regular interval between doses; then return to your regular dosing
schedule.  Try not to skip any doses.
     It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms of
infection disappear before the end of that period.  If you stop taking the
drug too soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and
the infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting.  These side effects should
disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
bloating, chills, cough, darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, fever,
irritation of the mouth, muscle aches, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, severe
diarrhea, or sore throat.  Also, if your infection seems to be getting worse
rather than improving, you should contact your physician.

INTERACTIONS

     Penicillin G antibiotic interacts with several other types of
medications:
     1. Probenecid can increase the blood concentrations of this medication.
     2. Oral neomycin may decrease the absorption of penicillin from the
gastrointestinal tract.
     3. Penicillin G may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
(birth control pills), and pregnancy could result.  You should, therefore, use
a different or additional form of birth control while taking this medication.
Discuss this with your doctor.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to penicillins or other penicillin antibiotics
(such as ampicillin and amoxicillin), cephalosporin antibiotics,
penicillamine, or griseofulvin.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
disease, asthma, or allergies.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that a family member or friend has, may
require a different medicine.  You should not give your medicine to other
people or use it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs
you to do so.
     * Diabetics taking penicillin should know that this drug can cause a
false-positive sugar reaction with a Clinitest urine glucose test.  To avoid
this problem while taking penicillin, you should switch to Clinistix or
Tes-Tape to test your urine for sugar.
     * Some of these products contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5
(tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (shortness of breath,
wheezing, rash, fainting) in certain susceptible individuals.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although penicillin
appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been
conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small
amounts of this drug pass into breast milk and may temporarily alter the
bacterial balance in the intestinal tract of a nursing infant, resulting in
diarrhea.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
