LoginCilicaine VK
Generic Name: phenoxymethylpenicillin potassium
Product Name: Cilicaine VK
Indication: What Cilicaine VK is used for
Cilicaine is a type of antibiotic that belongs to the group of medicines called penicillins.
Cilicaine is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria. It works by killing the bacteria that are causing the infection.
Cilicaine will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or the flu.
Your doctor may have prescribed Cilicaine for another purpose.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why Cilicaine has been prescribed for you.
A doctor’s prescription is required for this medicine.
Action: How Cilicaine VK works
Phenoxymethylpenicillin produces a bactericidal effect on penicillin sensitive organisms during the stage of active multiplication through inhibition of biosynthesis of cell wall mucopeptides. The antibacterial spectrum of phenoxymethylpenicillin is similar to that of benzyl penicillin, however, it has the advantage of being acid stable and hence better absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract than benzyl penicillin. It is resistant to inactivation by gastric acid.
Phenoxymethylpenicillin as the potassium salt is an active ingredient in both Cilicaine VK 250 mg and 500 mg capsules.
Their inactive ingredients are gelatin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red, magnesium stearate.
Cilicaine capsules are gluten and lactose free.
Dose advice: How to use Cilicaine VK
Before you take it
When you must not take it
Do not take Cilicaine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to:
- Cilicaine or other penicillins;
- Any of the other ingredients in Cilicaine listed here.
If you have had an allergic reaction to cephalosporins. You may have an increased chance of being allergic to Cilicaine if you are, or have been allergic to cephalosporins.
Some symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Tell your doctor if you have suffered from any of the allergic conditions in the past due to the use of penicillin.
Do not use Cilicaine if the packaging shows signs of tampering or the seal is broken.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack has passed.
It may have no effect at all, or worse, it may give an entirely unexpected effect if you use after the expiry date.
Before you start to take it
You must tell your doctor if:
- You are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives;
- You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant;
- Cilicaine may be used during pregnancy (Australian Use in Pregnancy Category A). However, your doctor will discuss with you the risks and benefits of taking Cilicaine during pregnancy.
- You are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Cilicaine can pass to your baby through breast milk;
- You have or ever had asthma, kidney or any other health problems.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines.
This includes any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may affect the way others work. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do when taking with other medicines.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Cilicaine and for several days after completing a course of treatment with Cilicaine.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any oral contraceptive pills.
You may need to use other birth control methods while you are taking Cilicaine.
How to take it
How much to take
The usual dose is:
Adults: One Cilicaine capsule 250 mg – 500 mg every four to six hours or 250 mg twice daily. The dose will depend on the type of treatment required for a patient. Your doctor will decide on the number of doses needed each day and how long you will need to take Cilicaine. These doses may differ from the usual doses shown in this leaflet.
Follow the instructions given by your doctor and pharmacist and read the label carefully.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How to take it
Swallow the whole capsule with a glass of water.
When to take it
Cilicaine should be taken preferably one hour before food. It should be taken every four to six hours, as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist.
How long to take it
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how long to use Cilicaine.
Take the whole course of Cilicaine until it is finished. Do not stop taking Cilicaine even if you feel better.
Your infection and symptoms may return.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to your normal dose times.
Do not take two doses within 3-4 hours of each other.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the time it is due.
Do not take double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you have trouble remembering to take or give Cilicaine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (phone 131126) if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Cilicaine. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Keep the telephone numbers of these places handy.
There are unlikely to be any serious problems from an overdose of Cilicaine. But you must consult your doctor or Poison Information centre.
While you are using it
Things you must do
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
If you develop any form of skin rash and/or itching or difficulty in breathing while taking Cilicaine, do not take Cilicaine anymore. Contact your doctor immediately. If you get diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, tell your doctor. Consult your pharmacist or nurse in absence of your doctor. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after you have stopped using Cilicaine. 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 become pregnant while you are taking Cilicaine tell your doctor.
If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Cilicaine.
If you have to get any blood or urine tests done, tell your doctor and nurse that you are taking Cilicaine.
This medicine may affect the results of some tests.
Tell all your doctor(s), dentist and pharmacist(s) who are treating you that you are taking Cilicaine.
Tell your doctor if you feel that Cilicaine is not helping your condition.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used Cilicaine exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that the medicine was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking Cilicaine until it is finished.
Do not stop taking Cilicaine even if you feel better.
Your infection and symptoms may not clear completely.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else even if his or her symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use Cilicaine to treat other conditions unless your doctor tells you.
Your doctor has prescribed Cilicaine especially for you and your condition. If you use it for another condition, it may not work or make the condition worse.
Things to be careful of
Tell your doctor if you get a sore mouth or tongue, vaginal itching or discharge while taking or after you have stopped taking Cilicaine. This could be due to a fungal infection called Thrush. This may also result in fever and irritation in stomach. The use of this medicine may sometimes allow fungi to grow, as Cilicaine is ineffective against fungi.
Take care while driving or operating machinery until you know how Cilicaine affects you.
After using it
Storage
Keep your medicine where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep Cilicaine capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not leave Cilicaine in the car or on windowsills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop using Cilicaine or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any Cilicaine left over.
Schedule of Cilicaine VK
Cilicaine VK is a S4 medicine.
Side effects of Cilicaine VK
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Cilicaine.
Cilicaine helps most people with infections, but it may have some unwanted 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 if you notice any of the following and they worry you.
Side effects reported by some people using Cilicaine include:
- Skin rash;
- Nausea & vomiting;
- Black hairy tongue;
- Diarrhoea;
- Epigastric distress;
- Difficulty in breathing;
Cilicaine may cause other side effects not listed above.
If you have any other side effects, tell your doctor.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
For further information talk to your doctor.
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