Ampicillin

Ampicillin (PRINCIPEN) is a drug used for the treatment of a wide variety of bacterial infections. It is a penicillin-type antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). It also is used intravenously to treat meningitis and other serious infections. Ampicillin was approved by the FDA in 1963.

Common uses

Ampicillin Capsules) is indicated in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organism listed below;
Ampicillin a synthetic antibiotic, derived from penicillin, having resistance to acids so that it can be taken orally to fight a wide range of bacterial infections

Before using

Before using Ampicillin, please mind if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have asthma, kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, mononucleosis (also called "mono"), or a history of any type of allergy. Ampicillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking ampicillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ampicillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Directions

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Usually this medication is taken by mouth 4 times a day (every 6 hours), or as directed by your doctor. Take ampicillin on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of fluids while using this medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. For children, the dose is also based on weight.
Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals.
Continue to take this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.


Cautions

Do not share this medication with others.
This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.
With prolonged treatment, laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney and liver function, complete blood counts) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult the doctor for more details.

Possible side effects

Ampicillin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
• upset stomach
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• mild skin rash
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:
• severe skin rash
• itching
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• wheezing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• headache
• dizziness
• seizures
• sore mouth or throat

If you take too much

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include unusual drowsiness.

Additional information

Store the suspension in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Discard any unused portion after 14 days since the drug loses potency after that time. Certain brands of this medicine may be stored at room temperature, but must be discarded after 7 days. Consult your pharmacist for more details. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Drug interactions

When administered concurrently, the following drugs may interact with ampicillin.
Allopurinol: Increased possibility of skin rash, particularly in hyperuricemic patients may occur.
Bacteriostatic Antibiotics: Chloramphenicol, erythromycins, sulfonamides, or tetracyclines may interfere with the bactericidal effect of penicillins. This has been demonstrated in view, however, the clinical significance of this interaction is not well documented.
Oral Contraceptives: May be less effective and increased breakthrough bleeding may occur.
Probenecid: May decrease renal tubular secretion of ampicillin resulting in increased blood levels and/or ampicillin toxicity.