Ampicillin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, lungs, skin, bladder and genitals.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Ampicillin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Ampicillin is available as capsules or suspension.
If you are taking an oral suspension, shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
Take Ampicillin at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Ampicillin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to penicillin antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin, cloxacillin, penicillin V, sultamicillin) and cephalosporin antibiotics (e.g. cefaclor, cefalexin, cefuroxime).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- kidney disease
- glandular fever (a type of viral infection)
- infectious mononucleosis (a viral infection also known as “mono” or “kissing disease”)
- lymphatic leukaemia (a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow)
- HIV infection
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. Do not receive any vaccinations without first asking your doctor.
If you are diabetic, this medicine may interfere with results of urine tests for sugars. Discuss with your doctor how you should monitor your urine tests while taking this medicine.
Ampicillin may cause any of the following side effects: diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
If you have diarrhoea, drink lots of water to replace the fluids lost. However, if you have severe diarrhoea or diarrhoea with severe stomach cramps or bloody stools, alert your doctor immediately.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- frequent and persistent sore throat with fever
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- seizures
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for gout e.g. probenecid, allopurinol, sulfinpyrazone
- medicines to treat cancer e.g. methotrexate
- medicines used to prevent and treat malaria e.g. chloroquine
- warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
- other antibiotics e.g. tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin
- birth control pills
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ampicillin.
Avoid vaccinations during treatment with Ampicillin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Refrigerate the oral suspension once you have mixed the powder with water. Do not allow it to freeze otherwise it will become less effective. Throw away any unused portion after 14 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
