Penicillin V

Can I get Penicillin V online?

The Online Clinic can prescribe Penicillin V or Phenoxymethylpenicillin for bacterial throat infections, tonsillitis and sinusitis. Simply complete an online consultation and a doctor will assess whether antibiotics are required. Next day delivery of your medication or same day collection at a local pharmacy can be arranged so you can get started on your treatment as soon as possible.

What is Penicillin V?

Penicillin V, also called phenoxymethylpenicillin, is a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic. This antibiotic is taken to treat a variety of infections of the mouth, throat, airways, ear, skin, and soft tissues caused by bacteria. It is also used to prevent recurrence of rheumatic fever or chorea, and to prevent pneumococcal infections in people with sickle cell disease or who have undergone splenectomy (spleen removal). This antibiotic interferes with the way in which bacteria make their cell walls. As a result, the bacterial cell walls leak, allowing the cell contents to flow out and unwanted matter to enter. This kills the bacteria.

How to use Penicillin V

Penicillin V is available as tablets (250 mg) and as an oral solution (125 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml). Some oral solutions are sugar free. Tablets are swallowed whole (not chewed) with water. The oral solution is provided as a powder and the pharmacist prepares the solution before dispensing. You should use the spoon or syringe provided to measure out the correct dose. Your doctor will decide the strength of medicine that you should take, when to take it, and how long you should take it. Importantly, you must finish the course of treatment, despite feeling better; by stopping the medicine early, the infection may return or the bacteria may become resistant to treatment. Penicillin V is usually taken every 6 hours, that is 4 times in a 24-hour day, keeping the time between doses about the same. If used to prevent rheumatic fever, then this may be reduced to twice a day. It should be taken when your stomach is empty, either at least 30 minutes before or at least 3 hours after a meal. Contact your doctor if you take too much Penicillin V, and take a dose as soon as possible if you forget.

Who can use Penicillin V?

People of all ages, including infants under 1 year can take Penicillin V. Avoid this medicine if you are hypersensitive or allergic to phenoxymethylpenicillin, antibiotics known as cephalosporins, or any other ingredient contained in the medicine; or if you have to take methotrexate for cancer or an immune disease. You should take particular care if you have any problems with your stomach, kidneys, asthma, or allergies. Some medicines interfere with the way Penicillin V works, so mention all medicines that you are taking and have recently taken, including those your doctor has not prescribed. Specifically mention all other antibiotics, anticoagulants (blood thinners), sulfinpyrazone or probenecid (for gout), and oral typhoid vaccine. Guar gum (a thickening agent in desserts) can reduce the amount of medicine that you absorb, meaning you will not have a full dose. Women who are trying to become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding should discuss this with their doctor.

Penecillin V Side Effects

Penicillin V can cause an allergic reaction, which may manifest as itchy skin with rash, swelling of facial features, breathlessness, joint pain, or chills/fever. Stop this medicine if any of these symptoms occur or if your skin blisters, you have seizures, stomach ache, or copious watery diarrhoea containing mucus and blood. More commonly, people suffer with nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, and diarrhoea. Other side effects that may occur include sore mouth and throat, black tongue, skin tingling, blood problems (you may feel tired, bruise easily, or get infections and fever), kidney problems (causing less urine or blood in urine), and jaundice (yellowy skin and eyes).

References

NHS resource on Phenoxymethylpenicillin
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/phenoxymethylpenicillin/

Science Direct resource
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/phenoxymethylpenicillin

Patient information on Penicillin V
https://patient.info/medicine/phenoxymethylpenicillin-for-infection-penicillin-v

Reviewed by: Dr Loraine Haslam MBBS, DRCOG, DFSRH, MRCGP
GMC registration number: 4524038
Date: 31 May 2025
Next review: 30 May 2027
All UK registered doctors can have their registration checked on
The Medical Register at the GMC website.

Information Leaflet

Source and further information

Download Penicillin V Patient Information Leaflet