Brand Name(s): D-Amp, Omnipen, Polycillin, Principen, Totacillin

Generic Name Ampicillin

What are ampicillin capsules?

AMPICILLIN (Omnipen^®, Principen^®, Totacillin^®) is a penicillin antibiotic. Ampicillin kills bacteria that cause infection, or stops the growth of bacteria. It treats many kinds of infections of the skin, central nervous system, heart, respiratory tract, sinuses, ear, and kidney. Ampicillin also treats some sexually transmitted disease. Generic ampicillin capsules are available.

What should my health care professional know before I take ampicillin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma
• eczema
• kidney disease
• leukemia
• mononucleosis
• stomach problems (especially colitis)
• virus infection
• other chronic illness
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ampicillin, other penicillins, imipenem, cephalosporin antibiotics, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take ampicillin capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take ampicillin 1 to 2 hours before or at least 2 hours after eating; taking it with food can make it less effective. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water; take capsules while in an upright or sitting position. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. There should be an interval of at least 6 to 8 hours between doses.

What drug(s) may interact with ampicillin?

• allopurinol
• certain antibiotics given by injection
• clavulanic acid
• entacapone
• female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
• methotrexate
• probenecid

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking ampicillin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty breathing, wheezing
• dark yellow or brown urine
• dizziness
• fever or chills, sore throat
• headache
• less frequent passing of urine
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• seizures (convulsions)
• skin rash, itching
• stomach pain or cramps
• swollen joints
• severe or watery diarrhea
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual weakness or tiredness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• sore mouth
• stomach gas or heartburn

What should I watch for while taking ampicillin?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 or 3 days.

If you are diabetic and taking large doses of ampicillin, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

If you get a skin rash, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

Birth control pills (contraceptive pills) may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Use another method of birth control for at least one month.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 °C (59 and 86 °F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.