What is 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 may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ampicillin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ampicillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.
Before using ampicillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have asthma, kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, mononucleosis (also called "mono"), or a history of any type of allergy.
Ampicillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking ampicillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills.
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Ampicillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking ampicillin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ampicillin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ampicillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:
amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox);
carbenicillin (Geocillin);
dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);
oxacillin (Bactocill); or
penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).
To make sure you can safely take ampicillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Omnicef, Cefzil, Ceftin, Keflex, and others), or if you have:
asthma;
kidney disease;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
mononucleosis (also called "mono");
a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or
a history of any type of allergy.
FDA pregnancy category B. Ampicillin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Ampicillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking ampicillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills.
Ampicillin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking ampicillin.