Drug name: Ampicillin

Other names used:

• Omnipen®
• Polycillin®
• Principen®
• Totacillin®

Active Ingredients:

• Ampicillin

Therapeutic effect of Ampicillin: Ampicillin is one of the many antibiotics that are classified under Penicillin. Unlike other penicillin drugs that are only effective against gram-positive bacteria, Ampicillin has proven its potential against gram-negative bacteria like Proteus spp., Coliforms and H. influenza. Ampicillin has a function similar to Amoxicillin. Ampicillin penetrates the outer membrane of bacteria and inhibits its growth.

Indications: Ampicillin is often treated for bacterial infections like bronchitis, pneumonia and other infections of the skin, lung, ear and urinary tract. This drug is not very effective against viral infections like flu and cold.

Precautions and Restrictions: Before taking Ampicillin it's best to consult a doctor especially if:

• You are allergic to drugs categorized as penicillin like amoxicillin and other drugs
• You are already using antibiotic substances like Atenolol, Warfarin, Allopurinol, or Anticoagulants, Probenecid, Sulfasalazine, Rifampin, Oral contraceptives, and Vitamins
• You are suffering from hay fever, stomach disorder, swelling of the large intestine, blood related ailments, asthma, allergies, liver and kidney diseases
• Immediately consult your doctor if you're pregnant, or if you become pregnant while taking this drug, or if you're a breast feeding mother
• If you are taking Ampicillin, inform your doctor about this before undergoing any type of surgery

Side effects: It is common to see people who take penicillin medication experiencing side effects like anaphylaxis, rashes or even shock. The most common form of side effect caused by Ampicillin or other penicillin drugs is a rash. People who are using Ampicillin for viral infections are more prone to rashes.

People who are allergic to penicillin should never use this drug. Similarly people who are allergic to penicillin may or may not be allergic to other antibiotics that are related to penicillin. Other commonly occurring adverse effects of Ampicillin are pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea.

Interactions: Certain medicinal substances when taken along with Ampicillin can react with them and increase or decrease or cause a totally unintended effect. This can be avoided by consulting a doctor before taking Ampicillin. It is also a good idea to mention the medicines or treatment you are currently under. Here is a list of drugs that can react with Ampicillin:

• Substances like Probenecid (Benemid) increase the amount of Ampicillin in the body
• Allopurinol when used with Ampicillin can increase skin rashes
• Ampicillin can reduce the effectiveness of Atenolol when taken in high quantity say about 1 gram
• Ampicillin can also reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive pills by reducing the blood concentrations of the estrogens.

Additional Information: These drugs should not be used without prior doctor approval and should not be shared with anybody else. Ampicillin is made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use it for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs, needles, syringes and other such medical substances out of the reach of children.