$Unique_ID{BRK01828}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{AMPICILLIN}
$Subject{D-Amp (Dunhall)
Omnipen (Wyeth)
Polycillin (Bristol)
Principen (Squibb)
Totacillin (Beecham)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Omnipen 250*0182801.scf
Omnipen 500*0182802.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


AMPICILLIN
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     D-Amp (Dunhall)
     Omnipen (Wyeth)
     Polycillin (Bristol)
     Principen (Squibb)
     Totacillin (Beecham)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antibiotic
INGREDIENT:
     ampicillin
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Capsules (250 mg and 500 mg)
     Oral suspension (125 mg and 250 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
     Oral suspension drops (100 mg per ml)
STORAGE:
     Ampicillin capsules should be stored at room temperature; ampicillin
       liquid suspension and drops should be refrigerated but should never be
       frozen.  Do not keep any of these medications beyond the expiration
       date written on the container.  All containers should be closed tightly
       to keep out moisture.

USES

     Ampicillin is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections,
including middle ear infections in children and infections of the respiratory,
urinary, and gastrointestinal tracts.  This type of antibiotic acts by
severely injuring the cell walls of the infecting bacteria--thereby preventing
them from growing and multiplying.  Ampicillin kills susceptible bacteria but
is not effective against viruses, parasites, or fungi.

TREATMENT

     It is best to take ampicillin on an empty stomach (one hour before or two
hours after a meal) with a full glass of water (not juice or soda pop).
     If you have been prescribed the liquid suspension form of this drug, be
sure to shake the bottle well.  The contents tend to settle on the bottom of
the bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the
ingredients evenly and equalize the doses.  Be sure to use specially marked
droppers or spoons to accurately measure the correct amount of liquid.
Household teaspoons vary in size and may not give you the correct dosage.
     Ampicillin works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is
kept constant.  It is, therefore, best to take the doses at evenly spaced
intervals day and night.  For example, if you are to take four doses a day,
the doses should be spaced six hours apart.
     If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible.  If it is already time
for the next dose, take it; space the next two doses at half the normal time
interval (for example, if you were supposed to take one tablet every six
hours, take your next two doses every three hours); then resume your normal
dosing schedule.
     It is very important to continue to take this medication for the entire
time prescribed by your doctor (usually ten days), even if the symptoms
disappear before the end of that period.  If you stop taking the drug too
soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the
infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.  These side effects should disappear as
your body adjusts to the medication.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, fever, joint pain, mouth sores,
rash, rectal or vaginal itching, severe or bloody diarrhea, or sore throat.
Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be getting worse rather than
improving, you should contact your doctor.

INTERACTIONS

     This drug interacts with other types of medications:
     1. Ampicillin interacts with allopurinol, chloramphenicol, erythromycin,
paromomycin, tetracycline, and troleandomycin.
     2. Ampicillin may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
(birth control pills), and pregnancy could result.  You should, therefore, use
a different or additional form of birth control while taking ampicillin.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to ampicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin,
cephalosporin antibiotics, penicillamine, or griseofulvin.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease,
kidney disease, asthma, hay fever, or other allergies.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
different medicine.  Do not give your medicine to other people or use it for
other infections, unless your doctor directs you to do so.
     * Diabetics taking ampicillin should know that this drug may cause a
false-positive sugar reaction with a Clinitest urine glucose test.  To avoid
this problem while taking ampicillin, you should switch to Clinistix or
Tes-Tape to test your urine for sugar.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although ampicillin
appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been
conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small
amounts of this medication pass into breast milk and may temporarily alter the
bacterial balance in the intestinal tract of the nursing infant, resulting in
diarrhea.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
