Penicillin V Overdosage

Overdosage Symptoms: Severe nausea and vomiting, confusion, drowsiness and myoclonus which may progress to convulsion. Large dose may also cause hyperkalemia.
Overdosage Treatment: Symptomatic and supportive.
Hemodialysis may aid in removing penicillins from the blood.
Symptoms of Hypersensitivity Reactions: Urticarial, joint pains, bronchospasm, angioneurotic oedema, circulatory failure and shock.
Treatment: At the first sign to an immediate reaction to penicillin treatment, 0.3 to 1 ml of Adrenaline Injection should be given intramuscularly (or in severe cases 0.2 ml well diluted intravenously) followed by a further dose if no improvement occurs. This should be followed by an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine given parenterally and a corticosteroid given intravenously. If bronchospasm is severe, aminophylline (250 mg in 10 ml) may be given intravenously. Assisted respiration is necessary if there is upper airway obstruction and plasma or suitable electrolyte solutions should be given intravenously if circulatory failure occurs. Urticaria and joint pains, if severe, may be treated with corticosteroids by mouth.