Antibiotics & You
← All antibiotics
Penicillins

Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V)

Sore throat / tonsillitisSkin infectionsPreventing infection after spleen removal

This medicine is in the penicillin family. Side effects like sickness or diarrhoea are not an allergy — read what a penicillin allergy actually means.

Start a diary for this antibiotic
Usually prescribed for:Sore throat (tonsillitis)Sinus infection (sinusitis)Dental infection and abscess

Information follows NICE antimicrobial prescribing guidance and the BNF.

Common side effects

  • Feeling sick
  • Diarrhoea
  • Thrush

How often each one happens varies by medicine and product, so check your leaflet. Many are mild, but ask your pharmacist or doctor if they are troublesome or do not settle.

Less common side effects

  • Being sick
  • Sore mouth
  • Mild rash

Get medical help straight away if you notice

  • Severe allergic reaction with swelling or breathing difficulty — call 999
  • Persistent severe diarrhoea

Taking it safely

  • Take on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before food.
  • Space doses evenly through the day.

Report a side effect

You can report any suspected side effect to the UK Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.