Ampicillin

Drug name: Ampicillin

Other names used:

• Omnipen®
• Polycillin®
• Principen®
• Totacillin®

Active Ingredients: Ampicillin

Therapeutic actions: Ampicillin is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics. It is considered a penicillin and is a close relative of another penicillin, amoxicillin. Unlike penicillin, ampicillin and amoxicillin can penetrate and prevent the growth of certain types of bacteria, called gram-negative bacteria.

Indications: Ampicillin is a penicillin-like antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia; bronchitis; and ear, lung, skin, and urinary tract infections. antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

Contraindications and cautions:
Before taking ampicillin:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ampicillin, penicillin, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics, allopurinol (Lopurin), anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), atenolol (Tenormin), oral contraceptives, probenecid (Benemid), rifampin, sulfasalazine, and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, allergies, asthma, blood disease, colitis, stomach problems, or hay fever.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ampicillin, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ampicillin.

Adverse effects: Allergic reactions are relatively common side effects during therapy with any of the penicillins. These reactions can range from rashes to anaphylaxis, a severe condition in which there may be shock and even death. Rashes occur more frequently with ampicillin than with the other penicillins. The incidence of rash with ampicillin seems to be higher in patients with viral illnesses, such as mononucleosis. Patients with a history of allergic reaction to any other penicillin should not receive ampicillin. Persons who are allergic to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics which is more distantly related to the penicillins (e.g., Ceclor, Keflex, Cefzil) may or may not be allergic to penicillins.
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are commonly reported gastrointestinal side effects during ampicillin therapy, but are rarely severe. Diarrhea appears to occur more frequently with ampicillin than with the other penicillins.

Interactions: Probenecid (Benemid) causes an increase in the amount of ampicillin in the body. This interaction may be used to advantage. Use of ampicillin with allopurinol can increase the incidence of drug-related skin rash. Very high doses of ampicillin (at least 1 gram or 1000 mg) can decrease the effect of atenolol (Tenormin) by decreasing its concentration in the blood. Similarly, ampicillin, even in normal doses, can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills by decreasing the blood concentrations of the estrogens in the birth control pills.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.