ampicillin

(ăm'pĭ-sĭl'ĭn)
n.
A semisynthetic penicillin having a broader antibacterial spectrum of action than that of penicillin G. It is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and used to treat gonorrhea and infections of the intestinal, urinary, and respiratory tracts.

[Blend of AMINO- and PENICILLIN.]

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Brand names: Principen®

Chemical formula:

Drug Forms:
• Ampicillin trihydrate Oral capsule (below)
• Ampicillin trihydrate Oral suspension
• Ampicillin Sodium Solution for injection

Espa�ol:
• Ampicilina Trihidrato, Cápsula oral
• Ampicilina Trihidrato, Suspensión oral
• Ampicilina Sódica, Solución para inyección

Ampicillin trihydrate Oral capsule

What is this medicine?

AMPICILLIN (am pi SILL in) is a penicillin antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
 
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•bowel disease, like colitis
•heart disease
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•seizures disorder
•an unusual or allergic reaction to ampicillin, other penicillins or antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food. Do not take with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Remember to keep appointments for follow-up doses. Notify your health-care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment, or miss a scheduled dose.

What may interact with this medicine?

•allopurinol
•birth control pills
•chloroquine
•methotrexate
•probenecid
•some other antibiotics like erythromycin, tetracycline

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if you get new symptoms.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

This medicine can interfere with some urine glucose tests. If you use such tests, talk with your health care professional.

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
•breathing problems
•dark urine
•fever
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•pain when swallowing
•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
•seizures
•unusual bleeding, bruising
•unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•diarrhea
•dizziness
•headache
•loss of appetite
•nausea, vomiting
•sore mouth, tongue
•stomach upset

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

A broad-spectrum penicillin that is inactivated by penicillinase (see penicillins). It is used for the treatment of middle ear and sinus infections, chest infections (including community-acquired pneumonia and exacerbations of chronic bronchitis), Salmonella infections, urinary-tract infections, and gonorrhoea. It is available, on prescription only, as capsules or a syrup for oral use and as an injection.

Side effects:
may include diarrhoea, nausea, and rashes. Rashes, which should be reported to a doctor, are most common in patients suffering from glandular fever, chronic lymphatic leukaemia, and HIV infection and in patients who are also taking allopurinol.

Precautions:
ampicillin should not be taken by anyone with known allergy to penicillins, and it should be used with caution in people with severe kidney disease.

Interactions with other drugs:

Methotrexate concentrations of methotrexate in the blood are increased, which may cause toxic effects.
Oral contraceptives their contraceptive effect may be reduced. Additional contraceptive precautions should therefore be taken with short courses of ampicillin and for seven days after stopping; if these days run beyond the end of a packet of oral contraceptives, the next packet should be started immediately without a break.

Proprietary preparations:
Penbritin; Rimacillin; Flu-Amp (see co-fluampicil); Magnapen (see co-fluampicil).

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a semisynthetic antibiotic of the penicillin type, and having a C₆H₅CH(NH₂)− side chain.

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An aminopenicillin of synthetic origin, susceptible to β-lactamase, with activity similar to amoxicillin but shorter duration of activity. It can be administered orally or parenterally.

n

An acid-stable semisynthetic penicillin antibiotic with a broader spectrum of effectiveness than penicillin G.

For a list of words related to ampicillin, see:

• PHARMACOLOGY - ampicillin: broad-spectrum semisynthetic antibiotic

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