Pfizerpen

Generic Name: penicillin G potassium (PEN i SIL in G poe TAS ee um)

Brand Names: Pfizerpen

What is Pfizerpen (penicillin G potassium)?

Penicillin G potassium is a fast-acting antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body.

Penicillin G potassium is used to treat many different types of severe infections, including strep and staph infections, diphtheria, meningitis, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Penicillin G potassium is also used to prevent infections of the heart valves in people with certain heart conditions who need to have dental work or surgery.

Penicillin G potassium may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Pfizerpen (penicillin G potassium)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to penicillin. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, Keflex, and others.

Before using penicillin G potassium, tell your doctor if you have asthma or a history of allergies, liver disease, kidney disease, or heart disease.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Penicillin G potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

After you have finished your treatment with penicillin G potassium, your doctor may want to do tests to make sure your infection has completely cleared up.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Pfizerpen (penicillin G potassium)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to penicillin. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, Keflex, and others.

To make sure you can safely use penicillin G potassium, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  asthma or a history of allergies;

  
  


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  liver disease;

  
  


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  kidney disease; or

  
  


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  heart disease.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Penicillin G potassium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Pfizerpen (penicillin G potassium)?

Penicillin G potassium is injected into a muscle or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an injection at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Penicillin G potassium may also be injected into the membrane surrounding the lungs, or into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 24 hours to complete.

Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Penicillin G potassium will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

If you use this medication long-term, your blood may need to be tested to make sure the medicine is not causing harmful effects. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

This medication can cause false results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using penicillin G potassium.

After you have finished your treatment with penicillin G potassium, your doctor may want to do tests to make sure your infection has completely cleared up.

Store the powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat. After mixing the powder with a diluent, store in the refrigerator and use it within 7 days. Do not freeze. Penicillin G potassium that is supplied as a frozen solution should be stored in a deep freezer at a temperature of 4 degrees below 0 (F).

Thaw the solution either in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not heat the medicine to thaw it more quickly.

Penicillin G potassium that is thawed in the refrigerator should be used within 14 days. If you have thawed the medicine at room temperature, you must use it within 24 hours. Do not refreeze.

Once the solution has been thawed, it should look clear. Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy or has particles in it, or if the medicine container leaks. Call your doctor or pharmacist for a new prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include confusion, agitation, hallucinations, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Pfizerpen (penicillin G potassium)?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking this medication and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Pfizerpen (penicillin G potassium) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

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  diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

  
  


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  blood in your urine;

  
  


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  feeling like you might pass out;

  
  


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  fever, chills, swollen glands, body aches, flu symptoms, rash or itching, muscle or joint pain, night sweats, general ill feeling;

  
  


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  white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

  
  


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  urinating less than usual or not at all;

  
  


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  skin rash with bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

  
  


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  swelling in your hands or feet;

  
  


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  pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

  
  


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  easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

  
  


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  twitching or uncontrollable muscle movements; or

  
  


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  increased thirst, feeling restless, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, irregular heart rate, weak pulse, tingly feeling, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  overactive reflexes;

  
  


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  nausea, vomiting;

  
  


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  black or hairy tongue; or

  
  


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  pain, swelling, bruising, or irritation around the IV needle.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Pfizerpen (penicillin G potassium)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

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  aspirin or indomethacin (Indocin);

  
  


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  birth control pills;

  
  


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  methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall(;

  
  


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  probenecid (Benemid);

  
  


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  an antibiotic such as chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin) or erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);

  
  


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  a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix) or ethacrynic acid (Edecrin);

  
  


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  sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP, and others); or

  
  


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  a tetracycline antibiotic, such as doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea, Periostat, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with penicillin G potassium. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Pfizerpen resources

• Pfizerpen Side Effects (in more detail)
• Pfizerpen Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Pfizerpen Drug Interactions
• Pfizerpen Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Pfizerpen - Add your own review/rating

Compare Pfizerpen with other medications

• Actinomycosis
• Anthrax
• Anthrax Prophylaxis
• Aspiration Pneumonia
• Bacterial Infection
• Clostridial Infection
• Congenital Syphilis
• Cutaneous Bacillus anthracis
• Deep Neck Infection
• Diphtheria
• Endocarditis
• Fusospirochetosis, Trench Mouth
• Joint Infection
• Leptospirosis
• Lyme Disease, Arthritis
• Lyme Disease, Carditis
• Lyme Disease, Erythema Chronicum Migrans
• Lyme Disease, Neurologic
• Meningitis
• Meningitis, Meningococcal
• Meningitis, Pneumococcal
• Neurosyphilis
• Otitis Media
• Pneumonia
• Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease
• Rat-bite Fever
• Rheumatic Fever Prophylaxis
• Skin Infection
• Strep Throat
• Syphilis, Early
• Syphilis, Latent
• Tertiary Syphilis
• Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about penicillin G potassium.

See also: Pfizerpen side effects (in more detail)