Phenoxymethylpenicillin is an antibiotic used for tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection. It also treats other infections. It’s a tablet you swallow a few times a day to help you heal. Phenoxymethylpenicillin is sometimes called Penicillin V, but they’re the same drug.
Tonsillitis doesn’t always need antibiotics like Phenoxymethylpenicillin. But if your tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your symptoms might get rapidly worse within the first few days of treatment, and Phenoxymethylpenicillin might be right for you. Talk to us about your symptoms and we’ll help you find the right treatment.
How does Phenoxymethylpenicillin work?
Phenoxymethylpenicillin is a form of penicillin. Penicillins work by damaging the walls of the bacterial cells. They do this by binding to a protein the bacteria uses to help maintain stable cell walls, and this makes the harmful bacteria easier to destroy.
Any remaining bacteria cells are then damaged and vulnerable enough to be destroyed by your immune system. This clears up the tonsillitis infection. Then any inflammation in your throat and tonsils will come down and you’ll be able to heal.
What doses of Phenoxymethylpenicillin are there?
Phenoxymethylpenicillin usually comes in 250mg tablets. For tonsillitis, you’ll usually take two tablets every six hours until your course is over. The dose you take might vary based on your symptoms. So if you have a more severe infection, you might need to take a higher dose.
If the dose you’re taking isn’t helping to bring down your tonsillitis, log into your account and message our clinicians.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
PhenoxymethylpenicillinPhenoxymethylpenicillin
How to take Phenoxymethylpenicillin
Always follow your clinician’s advice on how to take Phenoxymethylpenicillin.
Take the tablets at the time directed by your clinician, usually every six hours for tonsillitis. You can try setting alarms to help you remember.
Swallow the tablets whole without crushing or chewing.
Drink water while you take Phenoxymethylpenicillin.
You should try to make sure your stomach is empty when you take your tablets. Taking them at least half an hour before a meal will help the tablets absorb properly.
How long does it take Phenoxymethylpenicillin to work?
You’ll usually take Phenoxymethylpenicillin for tonsillitis for 10 days. How long exactly your course is will depend on how bad the infection is. You’ll often start feeling better after just a few days.
Even if your tonsillitis has gotten better, it’s important to finish your course of medication. This makes sure the infection has gone completely and stops it from coming back. If your course is over and your tonsillitis is still a problem, go back and talk to your clinician.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Phenoxymethylpenicillin?
If you forget to take Phenoxymethylpenicillin, take it as soon as you remember. Using a reminder app or alarms on your phone can help to make sure you don’t forget. If it’s nearly time for your next pill, just skip the missed dose and keep taking Phenoxymethylpenicillin as normal.
Don’t take extra medication to make up for missing some. If you take too much Phenoxymethylpenicillin, seek medical attention right away. Take the packaging of the medication with you so you can show what you’ve taken and how much.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
PhenoxymethylpenicillinPhenoxymethylpenicillin
PhenoxymethylpenicillinPhenoxymethylpenicillin
FAQ: Phenoxymethylpenicillin
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Why should I buy Phenoxymethylpenicillin online with Treated?
Answer:
When you order tonsillitis treatment with Treated, we make sure your recovery is as simple as possible. When you talk to our expert team about your health, we deliver the medication you need right to your home.
We’ll also provide specialised aftercare tailored to your needs, to make sure you’re back on track in no time. If you have any questions about your tonsillitis or treatment, just log into your account and send us a message. We’ll be right back to you with the help and advice you need.
Do I need a prescription for Phenoxymethylpenicillin?
Answer:
Phenoxymethylpenicillin is a prescription only medication, so a clinician will have to provide it for you. It’s only meant for bacterial infections and it’s not suitable for everyone to take. If you’re struggling with tonsillitis, talk to us.
We’ll check over your symptoms and learn a bit about your overall health. If Phenoxymethylpenicillin is right for you, our clinicians can write you a prescription and have your treatment delivered straight to your door.
How effective is Phenoxymethylpenicillin?
Answer:
Phenoxymethylpenicillin is highly effective against bacterial infections that cause tonsillitis. One study compared five day versus ten day treatment with Phenoxymethylpenicillin for tonsillitis. It found that in the five day treatment group, 89.6% of participants were cured of their tonsillitis.
In the ten day Phenoxymethylpenicillin treatment group, 93.3% of people in the study were cured. So the treatment really works, and it’s fast, but you’ll still need to take it for the 10 day course for it to be fully effective.
How is Phenoxymethylpenicillin different from other treatments for tonsillitis?
Answer:
It used to be common to have your tonsils removed due to tonsillitis. This isn’t recommended any more unless you have particularly bad tonsillitis that keeps coming back. This is because the risks of surgery outweigh the risks of tonsillitis for most people.
If your tonsillitis is mild or caused by a virus rather than a bacterial infection, you won’t need antibiotics. In this case, you can treat your tonsillitis at home. Lots of rest, hot drinks and lozenges to soothe your throat and over the counter drugs like paracetamol and ibuprofen will usually be enough to ease your symptoms.
Sprays containing Benzydamine like Difflam can also help with pain and swelling due to tonsillitis. Benzydamine is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, so it won’t cure a bacterial infection. But it can make your symptoms much easier to deal with.
Is Phenoxymethylpenicillin similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
Phenoxymethylpenicillin is a type of antibiotic called a penicillin. So it works in a very similar way to other penicillins, like Amoxicillin. Phenoxymethylpenicillin is more effective than amoxicillin for treating bacterial tonsillitis so it is usually the penicillin of choice.
Clarithromycin is another antibiotic often used to treat tonsillitis. It’s in a different class of antibiotics called macrolides and might suit you better than Phenoxymethylpenicillin if you have a penicillin allergy.
Skoog Ståhlgren, G., Tyrstrup, M., Edlund, C., Giske, C., Mölstad, S., Norman, C., Rystedt, K., Sundvall, P. and Hedin, K., 2019.
Penicillin V four times daily for five days versus three times daily for 10 days in patients with pharyngotonsillitis caused by group A streptococci: randomised controlled, open label, non-inferiority study. BMJ, p.l5337.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
