Ampicillin

Ampicillin is an antibiotic in the penicillin group of drugs. It fights bacteria in your body. Ampicillin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as ear infections, bladder infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, and E. coli or salmonella infection.

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 (e.g., amoxicillin).

• 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)

• 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

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.

• 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.

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.