About ampicillin
Penicillin antibiotic
Used for
- Treats susceptible bacterial infections, including some respiratory, urinary, and gastrointestinal infections.
Usual adult dose
Usually 250–500 mg by mouth every 6 hours; dose depends on infection and severity.
Usual dose in children
Usually 25–50 mg/kg/day by mouth in divided doses every 6 hours; varies by infection.
Common side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Skin rash
- Allergic reactions, rarely severe
- Antibiotic-associated colitis
Important warnings
- Do not use with a serious penicillin allergy.
- Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty or facial swelling.
- Antibiotics do not treat viral infections.
- Complete the prescribed course; dosing may require adjustment with kidney impairment.
Pregnancy
Generally considered usable when needed; a clinician should weigh benefits and risks.
Breastfeeding
Usually compatible; monitor the infant for diarrhea, rash, or thrush.
Interactions
- Probenecid can increase ampicillin levels.
- Allopurinol may increase the chance of rash.
- Warfarin effects may change; monitoring may be needed.
- Ampicillin may reduce the effectiveness of oral typhoid vaccine.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.