Ampicillin

Broad-spectrum Penicillin · Broad-spectrum penicillin

Indications

Respiratory, ENT and soft tissue infections. UTI and gonorrhoea. Invasive salmonellosis, listerial meningitis.

Dosage

ORAL: Adults: 250 mg-1 gm every 6 hr. Children: 1 mth- 1 yr: 62.5 mg every 6 hr, the dose doubled in severe cases; 1-5 yr: 125 mg every 6 hr, the dose doubled in severe cases; 5-12 yr: 250 mg every 6 hr, the dose doubled in severe cases. Urinary Tract Infection: Adults & Children over 10 yr, 500 mg every 8 hr, Children: Under 10 yr, half the adult dose. Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Adults & Children: > 20 kg: 250 mg every 6 hr. < 20 kg: 50 mg/kg/day divided as 6 hourly or 8 hourly dose. Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: Adults & Children: > 20 kg: 250 mg every 6 hr. < 20 kg: 50 mg/kg/day divided as 6 hourly or 8 hourly dose. INJECTION: Adults: 250-500 mg four to six times daily by IM or IV inj. Children: Half adult dose. Meningitis: IV: Adults & Children: 150-200 mg/kg/day given every 3-4 hr. Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: IM/IV: Adults & Children: > 40 kg: 250-500 mg…

Administration

May be administered by direct IV push over 3-5 min at a rate not to exceed 100 mg/min or IV intermittent infusion over 15-30 min at concentration not to exceed 30 mg/mL. Reconstitution: IM: Add (depending on manufacturer) 1.2 mL of SWFI or bacteriostatic water for injection to each 125 mg vial, 1 mL of diluent to each 250 mg vial, 1.8 mL of diluent to each 500 mg vial, 3.5 mL of diluent to each 1 gm vial, or 6.8 mL of diluents to each 2 gm vial. Intermittent infusion: Add 5 mL of SWFI or bacteriostatic water for injection to each 125, 250, or 500 mg vial or 7.4 to 10 mL of diluent to each 1 or 2 gm vial. Compatibility: Stable in D5W, NS. At Y-site administration: Incompatible with amphotericin B cholesteryl sulphate complex, epinephrine, fluconazole, hydralazine, midazolam, ondansetron, sargramostim, verapamil, vinorelbine. In syringe: Incompatible with erythromycin lactobionate,…

Adverse Effects

Hypersensitivity, GI upset, rash, transient rise in liver enzymes. Rarely pseudomembranous colitis.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to penicillins, cephalosporins or other beta-Iactams. Precautions: Infectious mononucleosis and/or acute leukaemia of lymphoid origin. Renal impairment.

Interactions

Anticoagulants, allopurinol, probenecid, methotrexate.

Advice to Patient

Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Take with a full glass of water in an upright position. Take at regular intervals, as scheduled. Contact prescriber immediately if there is severe diarrhoea, skin rash, swelling of mouth/face/throat/tongue, tightness of chest or if there is worsening of condition or no improvement. Watery or bloody stools can occur 2 or more months after therapy and can be serious, requiring immediate treatment. Complete full course of therapy even if you feel better. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Oral: 50%. Half-life elimination: Neonates: PNA 2-7 days: 4 hrs. PNA 8-14 days: 2.8 hrs. PNA 15-30 days: 1.7 hrs. Children and Adults: 1-1.8 hrs. Anuric patients: 8-20 hrs. Time to peak serum concentration: Oral: Within 1-2 hrs. Excretion: Urine; faeces.

Brands with this active ingredient

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.