Ampicillin

Drug Uses

Ampicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that is used for treating a variety of bacterial infections such as ear infections, bladder infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, and E. coli or salmonella infection.

How it is taken

Ampicillin is either taken one hour before or two hours after having your meal with a full glass of water. You must take the drug on a regular schedule for the full course of treatment to gain maximum benefits from it.

The best way to take is as recommended by your doctor. You may also check dosage instructions on the product label.

Drug Class & Mechanism

Ampicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that works by weakening the cell wall of bacteria in the human body. This eventually ruptures the wall thereby killing the bacteria.

Missed Dosage

If you miss a dose of Ampicillin, then you may take it as soon as you remember and adjust the remaining doses accordingly. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose then you may skip this dose and continue with the regular dosage. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

Storage

Store it at room temperature (between between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) in an air tight container protecting it from direct exposure to light, heat and moisture. Keep away from pets and children.

Discuss with your doctor about any prior medical condition that you may have including allergies to any ingredient in the drug or other similar antibiotics, food or other substances, stomach infection, diarrhea, or mononucleosis, severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, dizziness) to a cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cephalexin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem).

Certain drugs can interact with Ampicillin and hence, mention clearly to your doctor or pharmacist all medicines, dietary supplements and herbal prescriptions that you are taking, especially any of the following.

Tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline) because they reduce the effectiveness of Ampicillin, Allopurinol because it increases the chances of you getting a skin rash due to Ampicillin, Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin) or methotrexate because the Ampicillin increases the chances of you experiencing their side effects and lastly, Aminoglycosides or birth control pills because Ampicillin reduces their effectiveness.

If you are pregnant or suspect that you are, then stop using Ampicillin. It is unknown whether Ampicillin is secreted in breast milk. Avoid breast feeding while using the drug.

Some of the common side effects of Ampicillin are inflammation and redness of the tongue, irritation of mouth or throat, mild diarrhea, nausea, second infection and vomiting.

Other severe side effects include allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), bloody stools, severe stomach cramps and a vaginal discharge or irritation.

You must seek medical attention immediately if this occurs.