Ampicillin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Uses of Ampicillin

What drug ampicillin?

Ampicillin is a drug used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. Ampicillin or commonly known as ampicillin, belongs to the penicillin class of drugs, a type of antibiotic. Ampicillin works by stopping bacterial growth.

Ampicillin only treats bacterial infections. This means that this drug cannot be used to cure viral infections, such as colds and flu. Unnecessary or excessive use of ampicillin can render this drug ineffective.

What are the rules for using ampicillin?

Take ampicillin 4 times a day (every 6 hours), or as directed by your doctor. Drink it on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after eating) with a full glass of water.

Drink plenty of fluids when using ampicillin unless your doctor advises otherwise. The ampicillin dose depends on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Antibiotics work best when levels in the body are stable or steady. This means that you must take antibiotics of any kind, including ampicillin, with discipline and regularity.

Continue to use ampicillin until the entire prescribed dose is finished, even if symptoms disappear or you feel better after a few days.

Quitting ampicillin too quickly allows the bacteria to continue to grow and can result in a recurrence of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or gets worse. Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before taking ampicillin. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store ampicillin?

Ampicillin is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Do not store in the bathroom and also do not freeze.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep ampicillin out of reach of children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for ampicillin for adults?

Adult dosage for bacterial infections

Parenteral: 1-2 grams IM (intramuscular / muscle) or IV (intravenous / vein) every 4 to 6 hours or 50 to 250 mg / kg body weight / day IM or IV in separate doses
Maximum dose: 12 g / day

Oral: 250-500 mg orally every 6 hours

Adult dosage for endocarditis

Parenteral: Ampicillin 2 g IV every 4 hours plus gentamicin or streptomycin (if gentamicin does not work)

Duration of therapy for the treatment of endocarditis: carried out for approximately 8 weeks

Adult dosage for meningitis

Oral: 150 to 200 mg / kg / day IV in separate doses every 3 to 4 hours

Parenteral: 200 mg / kg / day IV in divided doses every 4 hours, in combination with other parenteral antibiotics

Maximum dose of use for the treatment of meningitis: 12 g / day

Intrathecal or intraventricular: 10 to 50 mg / day in addition to IV antibiotics

Adult dosage for sepsis (septicemia)

Oral: 150 to 200 mg / kg / day.

Parenteral: 1 to 2 g IV every 3 to 4 hours, in combination with other antibiotic drugs.

Adult dosage for bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis

Parenteral: 2 g IM or IV as a single dose 30 to 60 minutes before the prophylactic procedure.

Adult dosage for gastroenteritis

500 mg orally or IM or IV every 6 hours.

Adult dosage for intraabdominal infections

500 mg orally or IM or IV every 6 hours.

Parenteral: 1 to 2 g IV every 4 to 6 hours in combination with other antibiotics and depending on the infection experienced.

Duration of therapy: 10 to 14 days.

Adult dosage for skin infections or soft tissue infections

Parenteral: 250-500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours.

Oral: 250-500 mg every 6 hours, or 1-2 g every 4-6 hours, depending on the severity of the infection.

Adult dosage for pharyngitis

Parenteral: 250-500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours.

Oral: 250 mg orally every 6 hours.

Adult dosage for sinusitis

Parenteral: 250-500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours

Oral: 250 mg orally every 6 hours

Adult dosage for upper respiratory tract infections

Parenteral: 250-500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours.

Oral: 250 mg orally every 6 hours.

Adult dosage for pneumonia

Parenteral: 250-500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours.

Oral: 250 mg orally every 6 hours.

Adult dosage for bronchitis

Bronchitis treatment can be done in two ways:

• Parenteral: 250-500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours
• Oral: 250 mg orally every 6 hours

Adult dosage for urinary tract infections

500 mg orally or IM or IV every 6 hours.

Adult dosage for pyelonephritis

500 mg orally or IM or IV every 6 hours.

Adult dosage for shigellosis

500 mg orally or IM or IV every 6 hours.

Adult dosage for typhoid fever

500 mg orally or IM or IV every 6 hours.

Adult dosage for prevention of perinatal streptococcal disease group b

Parenteral: 2 g IV initial dose, then 1 g IV every 4 hours until delivery.

Adult dosage for prophylactic surgery

Liver transplantation: ampicillin 1 g IV plus cefotaxime 1 g IV at induction of anesthesia, then every 6 hours during the procedure and for 48 hours after final surgical closure.

Adult dosage for leptospirosis

Mild: 500-750 mg orally every 6 hours.

Moderate to severe: 0.5-1 g IV every 6 hours.

Adult dosage for otitis media

500 mg orally or 1-2 g IM or IV every 6 hours, depending on the nature and severity of the infection.

What is the ampicillin dosage for children?

Children's dosage for bacterial infections

Amphicillin dosage for newborns:

• 7 days or younger, weighing ≤2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV every 12 hours
• 7 days or younger, weighing ≥2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV q8hr
• 8-28 days, weighing ≤2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV q8hr
• 8-28 days, weighing ≥2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV every 6 hours
• 1 month or older, for mild to moderate infections
• Parenteral: 25-37.5 mg / kg IM or IV every 6 hours

Oral: 12.5-25 mg / kg orally every 6 hours

Maximum dose: 4 g / day

Children's dosage for bacteremia

Amphicillin dosage for newborns:

• 7 days or younger, weighing ≤2,000 g: 100 mg / kg IM or IV q12hr
• 7 days or younger, weighing ≥2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV q8hr or 100 mg / kg IM or IV q12hr
• 8-28 days, weighing ≤2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV q8hr
• 8-28 days, weighing ≥2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV every 6 hours
• Child dosage for sepsis (septicemia)

Amphicillin dosage for newborns:

7 days or younger, weighing ≤2,000 g: 100 mg / kg IM or IV every 12 hours

7 days or younger, weighing ≥2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV q8hr or 100 mg / kg IM or IV q12hr

8-28 days, weighing ≤2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV q8hr

8-28 days, weighing ≥2,000 g: 50 mg / kg IM or IV every 6 hours

Children's dosage for meningitis

Parenteral: 150 to 200 mg / kg / day IV in divided doses every 3 to 4 hours

Children's dosage for endocarditis

Ampicillin 300 mg / kg / day IV in separate doses for 4 to 6 hours along with gentamicin or streptomycin (if gentasimin does not work)

Maximum dose: 12 g / day

Children's dosage for bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis

50 mg / kg IM or IV as a single dose 30-60 minutes before the prophylactic procedure

Children's dosage for upper respiratory tract infections

Parenteral, with weight:

• 40 kg: 25-50 mg / kg / day IM or IV in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours
• 40 kg: 250-500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours

Oral, by weight:

• 20 kg: 50 mg / kg / day orally in divided doses every 6-8 hours
• 20 kg: 250 mg orally every 6 hours

Children's dosage for pneumonia

Parenteral, with weight:

• 40 kg: 25-50 mg / kg / day IM or IV in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours
• 40 kg: 250-500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours

Oral, by weight:

• 20 kg: 50 mg / kg / day orally in divided doses every 6-8 hours
• 20 kg: 250 mg orally every 6 hours

Children's dosage for skin infections or minor soft tissue infections

• Body weight ﹤ 40 kg: 25-50 mg / kg / day IM or IV in divided doses every 6-8 hours
• Body weight ﹥ 40 kg: 250-500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours

Children's dosage for urinary tract infections

Parenteral, with weight:

• 40 kg: 50 mg / kg / day IM or IV in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours
• 40 kg: 500 mg IM or IV every 6 hours

Oral, by weight:

• 20 kg: 25 mg / kg orally every 6 hours
• 20 kg: 500 mg orally every 6 hours

Usual children's dosage for surgical prophylaxis

Liver transplantation: age ≥1 month: Ampicillin 50 mg / kg IV plus anesthesia-induced cefotaxime 50 mg / kg IV, and every 6 hours for 48 hours after final surgical closure.

In what dosage is ampicillin available?

Capsules: 250 mg and 500 mg

Injection: 10 g / 100 mL, 125 mg / 5 mL; 250 mg / 5 mL

Ampicillin Side Effects

What side effects might ampicillin have?

Immediately go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you experience signs of an allergic reaction after taking ampicillin, such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or feel like you might pass out.

Call your doctor if you have any of the serious side effects of taking the following ampicillin:

• Fever, sore throat, and severe headache, peeling skin, and red skin rash
• Diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• Easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
• Urinating less than usual, or not at all
• Agitation (irritability, irritation, aggression), confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
• Seizures

Common side effects of ampicillin include

• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
• The vagina is itchy or has discharge
• Headache
• Swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue (hairy tongue)
• Thrush (white patches or inside the mouth or throat)

Not everyone experiences ampicillin side effects. There may be some side effects of ampicillin not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain ampicillin side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using ampicillin?

Before using ampicillin, tell your doctor if you:

• Allergy to ampicillin, penicillin, or other drugs
• Are using prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs, especially other antibiotics, such as allopurinol (Lopurin), anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as warfarin (Coumadin), atenolol (Tenormin), oral contraceptives, non-prescription probenecid (Benemid), rifampin, sulfasalazine, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are currently using or will be using
• Have or have had kidney or liver disease, allergies, asthma, blood disease, colitis, stomach problems, or hay fever
• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking ampicillin, call your doctor
• Going to have surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about using ampicillin

Is ampicillin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Ampicillin is included in category B (no risk in some studies) of pregnancy risk according to the FDA, the United States organization which is the equivalent of the POM in Indonesia. Even ampicillin can be used to reduce the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

For breastfeeding mothers, it is advisable not to take ampicillin, considering that ampicillin can pass into breast milk and can harm a nursing baby.

Interaction

What other medicines may interact with ampicillin?

Drug interactions can change the performance of ampicillin or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change your ampicillin dose without your doctor's approval.

There are 83 types of drugs that can interact with ampicillin, but below are the drugs that most often interact, namely:

• acetaminophen
• Advil (ibuprofen)
• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Apo-Amoxi, Amoxicot, Moxatag, DisperMox, Biomox, Wymox, Moxilin)
• Ancef (cefazolin)
• Augmentin (amoxicillin / clavulanate)
• azithromycin (Zithromax, Azithromycin Dose Pack, Z-Pak, Zmax)
• Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim)
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
• cefotaxime (Claforan)
• ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
• Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
• cloxacillin (Cloxapen, Tegopen)
• Colace (docusate)
• dicloxacillin (Dynapen, Dycill, Pathocil)
• Flagyl (metronidazole)
• gentamicin (Garamycin, Cidomycin, Septopal)
• ibuprofen
• Keflex (cephalexin)
• Lasix (furosemide)
• Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone)
• Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
• Reglan (metoclopramide)
• Rocephin (ceftriaxone)
• Singulair (montelukast)
• Synthroid (levothyroxine)
• Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
• Zofran (ondansetron)

Can food or alcohol interact with ampicillin?

Certain drugs should not be used when eating or consuming certain foods because ampicillin interactions can occur.

Smoking or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Ampicillin, as a type of penicillin, has the possibility to reduce gastrointestinal absorption of food when taken with food. Therefore, for prevention efforts, ampicillin should be eaten one hour before or two hours after eating.

In addition, discuss ampicillin use with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your healthcare provider.

What health conditions can interact with ampicillin?

Any other health problem in your body can affect your use of ampicillin. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

• Asthma
• Kidney illness
• Bleeding or blood clotting disorders
• Mononucleosis (also called "mono")
• History of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics
• History of any allergies

Overdose

What should be done in an emergency or ampicillin overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Symptoms of an ampicillin overdose include confusion, behavior changes, severe skin rash, urinating less than usual, or seizures.

What should I do if I miss a dose of ampicillin?

If you forget a dose of ampicillin, use it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double your ampicillin dose on a single schedule.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment