Phenoxymethylpenicillin

Phenoxymethylpenicillin, also known as penicillin V, PcV and penicillin VK, is an antibiotic taken by mouth. It is used to treat strep throat, otitis media and cellulitis, to prevent rheumatic fever, and to prevent infections after the spleen has been removed. It belongs to the penicillin and beta lactam families of medications and usually works by killing bacteria. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea and allergic reactions up to anaphylaxis, and it is not recommended for anyone with a history of penicillin allergy, though it is relatively safe in pregnancy. It was first made in 1948 by Eli Lilly. It is on the World Health Organization List of Essential Medicines and is available as a generic. In 2023 it was the 248th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than one million prescriptions. This entry records what is held about the drug and is not medical advice.