Uses
Penicillin G (potassium, sodium) injection is used to treat and prevent certain infections caused by bacteria. Penicillin G injection is in a class of medications called penicillins. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections.
Antibiotics such as penicillin G (potassium, sodium) injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Side Effects OF Penicillin G (Potassium, Sodium) Injection
Penicillin G (potassium, sodium) injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- pain, swelling, or redness in the area where the medication was injected
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using penicillin G injection and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- rash
- hives
- itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- fever
- muscle or joint pain
- stomach pain
- severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) with or without fever and stomach cramps that may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- blood in the urine
- seizures
- weakness
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
Penicillin G (potassium, sodium) injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving penicillin G (potassium, sodium) injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to penicillin G (potassium, sodium) injection; penicillin antibiotics; cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefoxitin, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); or any other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if a medication you are allergic to belongs to one of these groups of medications. Also, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in penicillin G injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: aspirin; chloramphenicol; diuretics (‘water pills’) such as ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) and furosemide (Lasix); erythromycin (Ery-tab, E.E.S., others); indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex); probenecid (Probalan); sulfa antibiotics; and tetracycline (Achromycin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you are on a low sodium or potassium diet, and if you have or have ever had asthma, allergies, hay fever, hives, heart failure, or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving a penicillin G injection, call your doctor.
Dosage Of Penicillin G (Potassium, Sodium) Injection
Penicillin G injection comes as a powder to be mixed with water and as a premixed product. Penicillin G injection is usually injected into a muscle or vein but may also be given directly into the lining of the chest cavity, into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord, or into a joint or other areas. The number of doses you receive each day and the total length of your treatment depend on your general health, the type of infection that you have, and how well you respond to the medication.
You may receive penicillin G (potassium, sodium) injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving a penicillin G injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with penicillin G injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Use penicillin G injection for as long as your doctor tells you that you should, even if you feel better. If you stop using penicillin G injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
If you are using penicillin G (potassium, sodium) injection to treat certain infections such as syphilis (a sexually transmitted disease), Lyme disease (an infection transmitted by tick bites that may cause problems with the heart, joints, and nervous system), or relapsing fever (an infection transmitted by tick bites that cause repeated episodes of fever), you may experience a reaction beginning one or two hours after receiving your first dose of this medication and lasting for 12 to 24 hours. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, worsening of skin sores, fast heartbeat, fast breathing, and flushing.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to penicillin G (potassium, sodium) injection.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving a penicillin G injection.
If you are diabetic and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine while taking this medication.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about penicillin G injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
