What is Ampicillin?
Ampicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that can be used to treat or prevent infections like bladder infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, meningitis, stomach ulcers, and infections of the intestines.
Ampicillin can also be employed for other purposes that are not covered in this guideline.
Side Effects Of Ampicillin
Contact emergency medical assistance when you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction (hives or breathing difficulties and swelling in your throat or face) or a severe reaction to your skin (fever and sore throat, eye burning, irritation, as well as red or purple itching, blistering, and peeling).
Ampicillin could cause severe adverse effects. Consult your physician immediately in the event of:
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Extreme stomach pains; diarrhea that is bloody or watery (even when it happens several months after your most recent dose);
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The appearance of blisters, ulcers, or discomfort in your mouth;
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The skin, redness, itching, or the sensation of itching;
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Chills, fever, sore throat, swollen glands, joint pain, or feeling unwell;
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White skin tone; cold hands and feet cold hands and feet
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Feeling lightheaded or breathless.
Common side effects of ampicillin include:
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Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
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Rash;
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Swelling, black, and "hairy" tongue;
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Vaginal itching or discharge
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Others could happen. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Follow the directions on the label of your medication and the package. Inform your health care providers about your medical ailments and allergies, as well as the medicines you are taking.
Before You Take This Drug
Ampicillin is not recommended when you're allergic to ampicillin or a similar antibiotic, including ampicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Moxatag, and many others), dicloxacillin, penicillin, or nafcillin.
Speak to your doctor if you are ever diagnosed with:
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Diabetes;
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The hay fever (seasonal allergy);
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Asthma;
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Diarrhea due to the use of antibiotics;
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Kidney disease
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An allergy to the antibiotic cephalosporin.
Inform your doctor if you are expecting.
Ampicillin can make contraceptives less effective. Consult your physician about non hormonal birth control (condom diaphragm, diaphragm containing the spermicide) to stop pregnancy.
It is not recommended to breastfeed when you are taking ampicillin.Avoid giving this medication to a child unless you have medical guidance.
How to Take Ampicillin?
Follow the directions on the prescription label and also read the medication guides or instruction sheets. Make sure you use the medicine exactly as prescribed.
Drink this medicine with a glass full of water.Make sure to shake off the oral suspension (liquid) prior to taking the dose. Make use of the dosing syringe supplied or a dosage-measuring device (not the kitchen spoon).
Use ampicillin when you have an empty stomach at least 30 minutes prior to or 2 hours following the meal.
Don't share this medication with anyone else, even if they suffer from similar symptoms to yours.If you're receiving treatment for gonorrhea, you might also be tested for syphilis, another sexually transmitted illness.
If you take this medication for the long term, your renal function, liver function, and blood cells could need to be examined.
Take this medication for the prescribed duration, even if symptoms improve quickly. Dosing less frequently can increase the chances of getting an infection that cannot be treated with treatment. Ampicillin does not treat viruses like illnesses like the flu and the commonly occurring cold.
The most severe infections might need to be treated over several weeks.Ampicillin may cause abnormal results when testing for certain medical conditions. Inform any physician who treats you that you're taking ampicillin.
Keep the bottle at room temperature, free of heat and moisture. Close the bottle when not being used.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
You need to take the medicine as soon as possible.However, do not take any missed doses if you are nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at once.
What Happens If I Overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What Should be Avoided?
The use of antibiotics can trigger diarrhea, which could be an indicator of an infection that has just started. If you experience diarrhea that is bloody or watery, consult your physician prior to applying anti-diarrhoea medications.
Interaction With Other Drugs
Other medications can affect ampicillin, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about all the medications you currently use as well as any medications you are about to start or stop taking.
