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LPV™
CAPSULES
Phenoxymethylpenicillin
Consumer Medicine Information
LPV is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called penicillins.
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about LPV.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor and pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking LPV against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
What LPV is used for
LPV is an antibiotic used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by certain bacteria.
LPV may also be used to prevent infections before, during and after surgery.
LPV will not work against infections caused by viruses, such as colds.
LPV is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called penicillins. These antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that are causing your infection.
Your doctor may have prescribed LPV for another reason. Ask your doctor why LPV has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
There is no evidence that LPV is addictive.
Before you take LPV
When you must not take it
Do not take/use LPV if:
- you have an allergy to LPV, other penicillins or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat. - you have had an allergic reaction to cephalosporins.
You may have an increased chance of being allergic to LPV if you are allergic to cephalosporins.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking LPV, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
You must tell your doctor if:
- you have an allergy to LPV, other penicillins or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- you have any type of allergic reaction to cephalosporin medicines
You may have an increased chance of being allergic to LPV if you are allergic to cephalosporins. - you have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes. This may include medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
- you have or have ever had any other health problems/medical conditions
- you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using LPV during pregnancy. - you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using LPV when breast-feeding.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take/are given LPV.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may interfere with LPV. Some medicines may be affected by LPV, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. You doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking LPV.
Talk to your doctor about the need for an additional method of contraception while taking LPV. Some antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking LPV.
How to take LPV
Do not take LPV if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
Do not take LPV if the expiry date on the pack has passed. If you take it after the expiry date it may have no effect at all, or worse, an unexpected effect.
How much to take
The usual dose is:
Adults and children over 12 years:
250 to 500 mg every six to eight hours. The dose will depend on the type of treatment required for the patient. Your doctor will determine the number of doses required each day and for how long you will need to take LPV.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. These directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How to take it
Swallow LPV whole with a glass of water.
When to take it
LPV should be taken preferably about one hour before or two hours after food. It can be taken with food but may not be as effective. It should be taken every six to eight hours, as instructed by your doctor.
How long to take it
Continue taking LPV until you finish the pack or unless your doctor recommends otherwise.
Do not stop taking LPV because you are feeling better. If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, all of the bacteria causing your infection may not be killed. These bacteria may continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or it may return.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for 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 LPV as you would normally.
If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you miss more than one dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take LPV, ask you pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Consult your doctor if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much LPV. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too much LPV you may get diarrhoea and nausea.
While you are using LPV
Things you must do
If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
If you develop itching with swelling or skin rash or difficulty breathing while you are taking LPV do not take any more and contact your doctor immediately.
If you get severe diarrhoea tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after LPV has been stopped. Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
If you get a sore white mouth or tongue while taking or soon after finishing LPV, tell your doctor. Also tell your doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge. This may mean you have a fungal infection called thrush. Sometimes the use of LPV allows fungi to grow and the above symptoms to occur. LPV does not work against fungi.
If you become pregnant while you are taking LPV tell your doctor.
If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking LPV.
If you have to have any tests tell your doctor you are taking LPV. LPV may affect the results of some tests.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking LPV.
Things you must not do
Do not give LPV to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use LPV to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how LPV affects you. LPV generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, LPV may cause dizziness, drowsiness or tiredness in some people.
Side Effects
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking LPV, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet. Like other medicines, LPV can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- skin rash
- itching
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of face lips, tongue or throat.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- oral thrush - white, furry, sore tongue and mouth
- vaginal thrush - sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge
- vomiting or an upset stomach
- diarrhoea
- fever or high temperature
- black, furry or sore tongue
After finishing LPV
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after finishing treatment with LPV:
- severe abdominal cramps
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- fever, in combination with one or both of the above
These are rare but serious side effects. LPV can cause bacteria (which are normally present in the bowel and normally harmless) to multiply and therefore cause the above symptoms. You may need urgent medical attention.
Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
After using LPV
Storage
Keep LPV in the pack until it is time to take it. If you take LPV out of the pack it may not keep well.
Keep it in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C. Do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy LPV.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking the LPV or it passes its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any LPV that is left over.
MEDICINE description
What it looks like
LPV 250mg capsule is red and grey printed with "LPV250".
LPV 500mg capsule is red and pink printed with "LPV500".
Ingredients
Active ingredient
Phenoxymethylpenicillin as the potassium salt.
Inactive ingredients
Gelatin, brilliant blue FCF CI42090, sunset yellow FCF CI15985, erythrosine CI45430, titanium dioxide and magnesium stearate (and carbon black for the 250mg strength only)
LPV does not contain gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
The Australian Product Registration numbers are:
500mg capsule: AUST R 66511
250mg capsule: AUST R 66510
Sponsor
Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos St
St Leonards NSW 2065
Date of Preparation:
07 December 1998
Date of Last Amendment:
14 January 2008
Published by MIMS/myDr January 2010
