Uses of Ampicillin

Ampicillin is used to treat bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, respiratory tract (bronchus, lungs), urinary tract, genital tract, stomach, blood, brain and skin or soft tissues. 

Therapeutic Category

Ampicillin: Antibiotics

How Ampicillin works

Ampicillin is a bactericidal agent. It kills the susceptible bacteria by blocking the bacterial cell wall synthesis that is essential for the bacterial cell to survive. This action destroys the susceptible bacteria, prevent their further growth and multiplication, and reduce the severity of the infection.

Common side effects of Ampicillin

• diarrhoea
• nausea, vomiting

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor if you experience:

• stomach pain with uncontrollable watery diarrhoea, feeling weak and fever
• signs of liver problems (such as yellowing of skin and whites of the eye, pale faeces, dark urine, persistent nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness)
• unusual bleeding or bruising, fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, repeated infections
• signs of kidney problems (such as passing low urine, passing urine at night, tiredness, breathlessness, pale skin, fever, skin rash, nausea, pains)

Health Tips for Ampicillin

• Ampicillin is usually taken on an empty stomach, about 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Strictly follow the dosing schedule as instructed by your doctor
• It is important to take Ampicillin for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor to achieve better results even if you feel better during the midway of the therapy. Failing to complete the full course of the therapy or skipping doses in between the therapy may not result in adequate infection control
• Antibiotics can sometimes disrupt the natural balance of beneficial bacteria in your gut, leading to diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues. Consuming probiotics or yogurt containing live cultures may help restore the gut flora
• While taking ampicillin, it's best to avoid alcohol consumption, as it may interfere with the effectiveness of the antibiotic and increase the risk of side effects
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as ampicillin may not be suitable during these stages. Your doctor will weigh the potential benefits and risks before prescribing the medication