Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Pen-Vk

Serious warnings and precautions box

What PEN-VK is used for:

PEN-VK is used to

treat certain bacterial infections.
prevent recurrence of rheumatic fever or chorea (an abnormal involuntary movement disorder).
Prevent certain bacterial infections before or after some type of dental procedures or surgeries.

Antibacterial drugs like PEN-VK treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.

How PEN-VK works:

PEN-VK works to:

Stop growth of bacteria.
Kill the bacteria.
Reduce the infection in your body.

The ingredients in PEN-VK are:

Medicinal ingredient: Phenoxymethylpenicillin Potassium

Non-medicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, D&C Yellow #10 aluminum lake 14-18%, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, purified water, sunset yellow aluminum lake 40% and titanium dioxide.

Serious and sometimes deadly allergic reactions have been reported in patients receiving penicillin therapy. Before starting therapy with PEN-VK, tell your healthcare professional about previous allergic reactions to penicillins, other antibiotics, or allergens.

PEN-VK comes in the following dosage form:

Tablets: 300 mg

Do not use PEN-VK if:

You have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin, other anti-biotics or any ingredients in this medicine.
You have undergone any surgery and taking other antibiotics.
You are currently taking an anti-biotic treatment for the following:
- Syphilis;
- Subacute bacterial endocarditis (a type of infection in the heart);
- Diphtheria;
- Gas gangrene;
- Any other severe infections treated by penicillin.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take PEN-VK. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

have allergies
have asthma
have severe illness with symptoms of nausea, vomiting or stomach / gut issues
are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant
are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

How to take PEN-VK:

Although you may feel better early in treatment, PEN-VK should be used exactly as directed.
Misuse or overuse of PEN-VK could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by PEN-VK (resistance). This means that PEN-VK may not work for you in the future.
Do not share your medicine.

Usual dose:

Adults and children 12 years or older:

Take PEN-VK exactly as directed by your healthcare professional. Your dose will depend on the type of infection that you have.

Children 12 years or younger:

Your healthcare professional will decide the dose based on your child’s weight and infection.

Overdose:

If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much PEN-VK, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.

Missed dose:

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget to take PEN-VK tablets, take the dose as soon as you remember and then take the next dose at the right time.

Possible side effects from using PEN-VK:

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking PEN-VK. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Heartburn, bloating, and gas
Diarrhea
Black hairy tongue

Serious side effects and what to do about them

Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom	Talk to your healthcare professional	Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help
Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom	Talk to your healthcare professional	Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help
Only if severe	In all cases
Only if severe	In all cases
Unknown
Blood Problems: Eosinophilia (increased numbers of certain white blood cells): abdominal pain, rash, weight loss, wheezing Hemolytic anemia (breakdown of red blood cells): pale skin, weakness, tiredness, shortness of breath, yellowing of your skin and/or the whites of your eyes, fever Leucopenia (decrease in white blood cells): fever, chills, sore throat, faster heartbeat and breathing, other signs of infection Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count): bruising or bleeding for longer than usual if you hurt yourself, fatigue and weakness Fever			✓
Nervous System Problems Neuropathy (damage to the nerves outside the spinal			✓
cord and the brain): numbness, weakness, or pain in the arms and legs
Kidney Problems: Nephropathy (Kidney disease): weight loss and poor appetite; swollen ankles, feet or hands – as a result of water retention (oedema); shortness of breath; tiredness; blood in urine; an increased need to urination – particularly at night; difficulty sleeping; itchy skin			✓
Severe Allergic Reaction: Anaphylaxis (sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing) Itching, skin redness Widespread scaling, peeling and flaking of the skin Red raised skin rash Burning or prickling feeling on your skin Flu like symptoms (chills, fever, swelling, joint pain and weakness)			✓
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR) (severe skin reactions that may also affect other organs): Skin peeling, scaling, or blistering (with or without pus) which may also affect your eyes, mouth, nose or genitals, itching, severe rash, bumps under the skin, skin pain, skin color changes (redness, yellowing, purplish) Swelling and redness of eyes or face Flu-like feeling, fever, chills, body aches, swollen glands, cough Shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort			✓

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.

NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

Store at room temperature 15°C - 30°C in a tightly closed container.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about PEN-VK:

Talk to your healthcare professional
Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (Drug Product Database: Access the database); the manufacturer’s website https://www.aapharma.ca/en/our-product/; or by calling 1-877-998-9097.

Date of Authorization: August 1, 2025

Rx or OTC	Prescription (Rx)?
DIN	00642215
Schedule(s)	PRESCRIPTION
Active ingredient(s)	Penicillin v potassium 300 MG
Dosage form(s)	Tablet
Route(s) of administration	Oral
Drug class (WHO ATC)	J Antiinfectives for systemic use J01 Antibacterials for systemic use J01C Beta-lactam antibacterials, penicillins J01CE Beta-lactamase sensitive penicillins J01CE02 Phenoxymethylpenicillin
Company	AA PHARMA INC
Current status	Marketed
Current status date	September 5, 2014

Pen-Vk: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage