Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using ASPECILLIN VK?
ASPECILLIN VK contains the active ingredient phenoxymethylpenicillin (as potassium).
ASPECILLIN VK is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by
bacteria.
For more information, see Section
1. Why am I using ASPECILLIN VK? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use ASPECILLIN VK?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to phenoxymethylpenicillin (as
potassium) or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I use ASPECILLIN VK? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use ASPECILLIN VK?
The usual dose for adults: 250 mg to 500 mg every four to six hours.
To prevent recurrence of rheumatic fever: 250 mg twice a day for as long as your doctor
tells you to.
5. What should I know while using ASPECILLIN VK?
|
Things you should do
|
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking ASPECILLIN
VK.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking ASPECILLIN VK.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your
doctor immediately.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you get diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting.
Do this even if it occurs several weeks after you have stopped taking ASPECILLIN VK.
Tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine are about to have any blood or
urine tests.
Tell your doctor if you get a sore mouth or tongue while taking or after you have
stopped taking ASPECILLIN VK.
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|
Things you should not do
|
Do not stop taking ASPECILLIN VK without checking with your doctor.
Do not take any medicine for diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor or
pharmacist.
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|
Driving or using machines
|
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how ASPECILLIN
VK affects you.
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Looking after your medicine
|
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Keep your tablets in the bottle until it is time to take them.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you: skin rash, nausea or vomiting, black hairy tongue, diarrhoea, upset stomach or difficulty
in breathing.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
phenoxymethylpenicillin (as potassium)
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using ASPECILLIN VK. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using ASPECILLIN VK.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using ASPECILLIN VK?
ASPECILLIN VK contains the active ingredient
phenoxymethylpenicillin as potassium. ASPECILLIN VK is a type of antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called
penicillins.
ASPECILLIN VK is
used to t
reat
infections
in different parts of the body caused by bacteria. It works by killing the bacteria
that are causing the infection
.
ASPECILLIN VK will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or
the flu.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed ASPECILLIN VK for another purpose.
This medicine is only available on a doctor’s prescription.
2. What should I know before I use ASPECILLIN VK?
Warnings
Do not use ASPECILLIN VK if:
you are allergic to phenoxymethylpenicillin, or any of the ingredients listed at the
end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
you are allergic to any other penicillin medicines or cephalosporins.
If you have an allergic reaction to cephalosporins, you may have an increased chance
of being allergic to ASPECILLIN VK.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging
is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return to your pharmacist for disposal.
Check with your doctor if you:
have or have ever had any of the following medical conditions:
- diarrhea after taking antibiotics previously
- bleeding disorders
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- asthma or have the tendency to develop allergic conditions such as hay fever or
eczema
- any other health problems
have any allergies to any other medicines or any other foods, preservatives or dyes
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
The active ingredient in ASPECILLIN VK passes into breast milk and there is a possibility
that your baby may be affected.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with ASPECILLIN VK and affect how
it works.
probenecid, a medicine used to treat gout
antacids, medicines used to reduce heartburn or indigestion
oral contraceptive pills, medicines used for contraception
You may need to use other birth control methods while you are taking ASPECILLIN VK.
aminoglycosides, medicines used treat some bacterial infections
methotrexate, a medicine used treat rheumatoid arthritis, some cancers and inflammatory
conditions
These medicines may be affected by ASPECILLIN VK or may affect how well it works.
You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different
medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or
avoid while taking this medicine.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect ASPECILLIN VK.
4. How do I use ASPECILLIN VK?
How much to take
The usual dose is:
Adult
s:
250 mg to 500 mg every four to six hours.
To
preve
nt recurrence of rheumatic fever
250 mg twice a day for as long as your doctor tells you to.
The dose you take will depend on the type of treatment you are to receive. Your doctor
will decide your dose and how long you take ASPECILLIN VK for.
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.
When to take ASPECILLIN VK
ASPECILLIN VK should be taken 1 hour before food.
How to take ASPECILLIN VK
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
If you forget to use ASPECILLIN VK
ASPECILLIN VK should be used regularly at the same time each day.
If it is less than 4 hours before your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take
your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking you medicine
as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some
hints.
If you use too much ASPECILLIN VK
If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much ASPECILLIN VK, you may
need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using ASPECILLIN VK?
Things you should do
Call your doctor straight away if you:
are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that
you are taking ASPECILLIN VK.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking
this medicine.
become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your
doctor immediately.
get diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Do
this even if it occurs several weeks after you have stopped taking ASPECILLIN VK.
Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may
need urgent medical care.
are about to have any blood or urine tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this
medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Things you should not do
Do not take any medicine for diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor or
pharmacist.
Do not take ASPECILLIN VK to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you
to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not stop taking ASPECILLIN VK without checking with your doctor.
Your infection and symptoms may not clear completely.
Things to be careful of
Tell your doctor if you get a sore mouth or tongue while taking or after you have
stopped taki
ng
ASPECILLIN VK.
This could be due to a fungal infection called thrush. This may also result in fever
and irritation in your stomach.
Driving or using machines
Be careful
before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how ASPECILLIN VK affects
you.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your tablets
in the bottle
until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the bottle they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it
:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
on window sills or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above the ground is a good place
to store medicines.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are using ASPECILLIN VK.
This medicine helps most people but it may have some unwanted side effects in a few
people.
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any
of them.
Less serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What ASPECILLIN VK contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Phenoxymethylpenicillin (as potassium)
|
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
starch maize
magnesium stearate
calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate
microcrystalline cellulose
Opadry AMB Yellow OY-B-32904 (ARTG PI No: 3024)
Opadry Clear OY-S-29019 (ARTG PI No: 3025)
|
|
Potential allergens
|
N/A
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What ASPECILLIN VK looks like
ASPECILLIN VK 250 mg tablets are bright yellow, smooth, round film coated tablets.
Odour characteristic. Free of visible contamination and imperfections. (AUST R 200136)
ASPECILLIN VK 500 mg tablets are bright yellow, smooth, film coated capsule shaped
tablets. Plain on one side and a break bar on the other. Odour characteristic. Free
of visible contamination and imperfections. (AUST R 200137)
Who distributes ASPECILLIN VK
Viatris Pty Ltd
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in June 2023.
ASPECILLIN® is a Viatris company trade mark
ASPECILLIN VK_cmi\Jun23/00