How it works

Ampicillin is a penicillin medication. Penicillin works by rupturing the cell wall of the invading bacteria and preventing it from spreading.

Guidelines for usage

Follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor or as mentioned in the instruction booklet/product label.

Always use only as prescribed. Never exceed the dosage.

Doctors recommend using Ampicillin an hour and a half before a meal or about 2 hours after a meal.

Doctors recommend that you swallow the whole tablet/capsules with a glass of water unless it is specified that it can be broken or chewed.

NOTE: Use only if prescribed to you and intended for your use. Do not share with others.

Missed Dose

It is common for people to forget their dosage times and miss doses.

Do not panic if you have missed a dose.

Instead, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not double up or take more than what the doctor has prescribed.

How & where do I store Ampicillin?

The medicine label contains detailed instructions regarding safe storage of the medication. Most medicines are best stored at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Some medications may require to be refrigerated. Please check the product label.

Keep it away from the reach of children. Ensure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight or moisture.

Ask your pharmacist about safely disposing off medication that is past expiry date.

Overdose Related Information

If you accidentally consume more medication than what was prescribed, then contact an emergency healthcare center immediately.

Safety Information

Safety Information/ Warning Precautions

Discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider before you start using any new medication.

Ensure that you mention the following:

Any prior serious ailment, lifestyle disease or surgery
All the prescription drugs, OTC health supplements, herbal supplements that you are using currently
Your alcohol intake and whether you smoke or not
Any history of a known allergic reaction to prescription drugs or food
If you have a stomach infection, diarrhea, or mononucleosis ("mono"),
If you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, dizziness) to a cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cephalexin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem).

This will allow your healthcare provider to prescribe the apt dosage of the medication for you.

To be avoided

You must avoid using Ampicillin if it you are allergic to any ingredient in it or

To any other penicillin antibiotic (e.g., amoxicillin).

Possible Drug & Food Interactions

Certain prescription drugs or health supplements or even food items are known to interact with the effects of medications. Ampicillin is known to have possible interactions with the following medications.

Tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline), Allopurinol , Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin) or methotrexate, Aminoglycosides or birth control pills

Additional Information

Ampicillin is an antibiotic that is effective only in the treatment of bacterial infections. It will not be effective against viral infections like cough and cold. Antibiotic treatment must be monitored closely by doctors because prolonged treatment increases the resistance of the bacteria against Ampicillin. A future bacterial infection becomes severe and difficult to treat.

Sugar levels must be monitored constantly and in case of low blood sugar, use (table sugar, honey, candy, orange juice, or non–diet soda to quicky elevate sugar levels to normal. Some of the symptoms of low blood sugar are rapid heartbeats, vision changes, headaches, chills, or tremors, hunger.

Low Blood sugar can be prevented easily by having your meals on time and not skipping them.

Some patients experience a persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in their stool. Contact your doctor immediately if this happens.

Ampicillin can interfere with the results of certain laboratory tests. If tests are prescribed for you, then we recommend that you speak to your lab technician that you are using Ampicillin before you undertake the test.

Important Information for Pregnant Women

Ampicillin is categorized under FDA category B.

Discuss the potential risks with your healthcare provider before using the medication.

Certain medications may be found in breast milk so speak to your child’s doctor to rule out any possibilities of risk.