General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Campicilin cap (Cadila (Generic))
Dabcilin cap (Dabur)
Ampicillin is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Ampicillin is pronounced as:AM-pi-SIL-in
Ampicillin is an anti-infective / broad spectrum antibacterial drug belonging to penicillin group of antibiotics.
Ampicillin is used in the treatment of serious and severe bacterial infections ex:
- For prevention of bacterial endocarditis in susceptible individuals
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) etc.
Take Ampicillin exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Ampicillin injection can be administered intramuscularly or intravenously under strict aseptic condition exactly as directed by your doctor.
Ampicillin vial should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration. Preparations of ampicillin containing visibly opaque particles should NOT be used.
Take oral dose of ampicillin on empty stomach 1 hr before or 2hrs after meal with one glass of water.
If you are taking antacids, take them one hour before or two hours after taking the ampicillin.
Ampicillin should be taken regularly as prescribed by your doctor to attain maximum benefit.
Do not skip any doses. Continue to take it even when you feel better.
You must complete the entire course of medication to get maximum benefit; else the infection will not clear completely and in due course result in development of resistance.
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like
- Allopurinol (anti gout)
- Probenecid
- Anticoagulants like warfarin
- Tetracycline’s (eg.doxycycline)
- Methotrexate
- Inform your doctor if you are allergic to other penicillin drugs (e.g. amoxicillin, carbenicillin) and Cephalosporin drugs (cefaclor, cephaloridin) as it may cause allergic reaction in these patients.
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical conditions as Ampicillin should be used cautiously in the below mentioned conditions
- Kidney disease
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Bleeding disorder
Old people: Ampicillin medication should be used cautiously in elderly individual as their renal function decreases with advancing age.
Pregnant woman: Ampicillin belongs to FDA pregnancy category B. This means that ampicillin is safe during pregnancy and is not expected to cause any harm to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether ampicillin passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take ampicillin with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding baby.
Other:
Ampicillin decreases the efficacy of birth pills. Consult your doctor regarding other methods of contraception.
Avoid alcohol.
Ampicillin is available as tablet, suspension, injection, eye drops and creams. Your doctor will prescribe them depending on the severity of the disease.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
For detailed dosage information, consult your doctor who will prescribe you depending on the severity of the disease.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
The overdose symptoms of ampicillin are
- Decrease in amount of urine passed
Ampicillin may causes following side effects like
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Decrease in the amount of urine passed
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Blood or mucus in the stools
Ampicillin oral suspension should be refrigerated ( 2 to 8 degree C) once the powder is mixed with water, do not freeze it.
Ampicillin injection, tab, cap store at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
Antibiotics may cause diarrhoea. Consult your doctor immediately if it is very severe as it could be a sign of new infection.
Your doctor may advise you to undergo liver function tests &renal function tests when on ampicillin medication to look for possible side effects.
Ampicillin may cause false positive in urine sugar. If you are diabetic on ampicillin medications inform lab personnel prior to the test.
.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last Updated: July 15, 2011