Generic Ampicillin

Ampicillin is a form of generic penicillin which is sometimes prescribed as Omnipen, Totacillin, or Principen. Ampicillin should be avoided by patients who have had an allergic reaction to penicillin based antibiotics. Ampicillin is prescribed to fight bacterial infections in the body, such as infections of the ear or bladder, pneumonia, E. coli, Salmonella, or gonorrhea.

Ampicillin has been known to make birth control pills less effective and a secondary, non-hormonal form of birth control should be used while a patient is undergoing drug therapy with this medication.

Ampicillin is not appropriate for all patients and without a thorough medical history, it should not be randomly prescribed. Patients with a medical history which includes diarrhea from taking antibiotics, mononucleosis, kidney disease, asthma, a blood disorder, a blood clotting disorder, or any form of allergies to medications or other allergens may not be able to take ampicillin or might require special care while undergoing drug therapy with this medication, depending on the condition and the severity of the condition.

The American Food and Drug Administration rated Ampicillin as a pregnancy risk category B,, as it is not expected to cause harm or birth defects in an unborn fetus. Ampicillin does pass through the mother’s breast milk and can affect a nursing baby. The prescribing physician should discuss whether the benefits outweigh the risks before prescribing ampicillin to a woman who is pregnant and should avoid prescribing this medication to women who are breast feeding.

There is a possibility of experiencing serious side effects or allergic reactions while taking ampicillin. A patient who experiences either an allergic reaction or a serious side effect while taking this medication should seek immediate medical care. An allergic reaction to ampicillin will present with difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat, and hives. Other serious side effects are likely to include agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts, unusual behaviors, fever, sore throat, headache with a severe peeling and blistering rash, fever with chills, body aches, or other flu symptoms, bloody diarrhea, watery diarrhea, unusual weakness, easy bruising or bleeding, urinating less than usual, not urinating at all, black outs, or convulsions.

Less serious side effects are typically not in need of any type of emergency medical care but should still be reported to the prescribing physician. Less serious side effects may include symptoms such as vaginal itching, vaginal discharge, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, swollen black or “hairy” tongue, or white patches on the tongue or on the inside of the mouth.

Ampicillin should only be taken as directed to avoid the potential for an overdose. If a dose of ampicillin is accidentally neglected, the dose can be taken when it is remembered. If it is almost time for the next dose of ampicillin then the missed dose should just be skipped. Taking too much medication or taking doses of medicine too close together can result in an accidental overdose. An overdose of ampicillin will require urgent medical intervention. An overdose will present with symptoms which may include behavioral changes, confusion, skin rash, black outs, a decrease in urination, and convulsions.

Ampicillin should not be taken with certain other medications. Some other medications will interact with ampicillin and cause serious health risks. Patients taking ampicillin should always consult with the prescribing physician before taking any new medications, including over the counter medications, herbal remedies, and vitamin supplements. Medications with known interactions with ampicillin include tetracycline antibiotics, probenecid, sulfa medications, methotrexate, and allopurinol.