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Penicillin GPrecautionsBefore using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as corn for products containing dextrose), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma, kidney disease. Penicillin may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using penicillin before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Certain products of this medication contain sodium. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are on a salt-restricted diet or if you have a condition that could be worsened by an increase in salt intake (such as heart failure). Certain products of this medication contain potassium. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, or medications that can increase potassium (including ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril), or if you have a high potassium level (hyperkalemia). Older adults may be at greater risk for side effects while using this drug. Newborns and infants may be at greater risk for side effects while using this drug. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Side EffectsPain/redness/swelling at injection site may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: joint/muscle pain, muscle weakness, swelling of ankles/feet, dark/cloudy urine, extreme tiredness, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, new signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever), easy bruising/bleeding, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), numbness/tingling of arms/legs, seizures, uncontrolled movements, confusion. If used to treat syphilis or other spirochetal infections (such as Lyme disease), this medication may cause a condition known as Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. This condition may occur 1 to 2 hours after you receive the medication and can last up to 24 hours. Notify your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms: fever/chills, muscle pain, worsening of skin sores, fast heartbeat, fast breathing, dizziness, flushing. This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: diarrhea that doesn't stop, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool. If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. |