Ampicillin Info
Generic Name: Ampicillin Capsules (am-pih-SILL-in)
Brand Name: Principen
Ampicillin is used for:
Treating infections caused by certain types of bacteria.
Ampicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. It works
by killing sensitive bacteria by interfering with
formation of the bacteria's cell wall while it is
growing. This weakens the cell wall and it ruptures
resulting in the death of the bacteria.
Do NOT use Ampicillin if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Ampicillin
or any other penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right
away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Ampicillin :
Some medical conditions may interact with Ampicillin
. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any
medical conditions, especially if any of the following
apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have a stomach infection, diarrhea, or mononucleosis ("mono")
if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing
difficulties, dizziness) to a cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cephalexin) or
other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem) Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ampicillin . Tell
your health care provider if you are taking any other
medicines, especially any of the following:
Tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline) because they
may decrease Ampicillin 's effectiveness
Allopurinol because the risk of skin rash may be increased
Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin) or methotrexate because the risk of their
side effects may be increased by Ampicillin
Aminoglycosides or birth control pills because their effectiveness may be
decreased by Ampicillin This may not be a complete list of all interactions
that may occur. Ask your health care provider if
Ampicillin may interact with other medicines that
you take. Check with your health care provider before
you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Ampicillin :
Use Ampicillin as directed by your doctor. Check
the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Ampicillin by mouth at least one-half hour
before or 2 hours after eating.
Take Ampicillin with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
Take Ampicillin on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking
Ampicillin at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
To clear up your infection completely, use Ampicillin for the full course
of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
If you miss a dose of Ampicillin , take it as soon as possible. If it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular
dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Ask your health care provider any questions you
may have about how to use Ampicillin .
Important safety information:
Ampicillin only works against bacteria; it does
not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
Be sure to use Ampicillin for the full course of treatment. If you do not,
the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could
also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the
infection harder to treat in the future.
Long-term or repeated use of Ampicillin may cause a second infection. Tell
your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to
be changed to treat this.
Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea,
or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your
doctor.
Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while
you are using Ampicillin . To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth
control (eg, condoms).
Diabetes patients - Ampicillin may cause the results of some tests for urine
glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose
of your diabetes medicine.
Lab tests, including white blood cell counts and kidney function tests, may
be performed while you use Ampicillin . These tests may be used to monitor
your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab
appointments.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor.
You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ampicillin while you
are pregnant. Ampicillin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding
while you use Ampicillin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks
to your baby. Possible side effects of Ampicillin :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people
have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your
doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist
or become bothersome:
Inflammation and redness of the tongue; irritation
of mouth or throat; mild diarrhea; nausea; second
infection; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these
SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching;
difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling
of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools;
severe diarrhea; stomach pain/cramps; vaginal irritation
or discharge.
This is not a complete list of all side effects
that may occur. If you have questions or need medical
advice about side effects, contact your doctor or
health care provider. You may report side effects
to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or
at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association
of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control
center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency
room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea;
nausea; seizures; vomiting.
Proper storage of Ampicillin :
Store Ampicillin at room temperature, between 59
and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly
closed container. Store away from heat, moisture,
and light. Keep Ampicillin out of the reach of children
and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Ampicillin ,
please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other
health care provider.
Ampicillin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do
not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your
doctor. This information is a summary only. It does not
contain all information about Ampicillin . If you
have questions about the medicine you are taking
or would like more information, check with your doctor,
pharmacist, or other health care provider. |
