Ampicillin and sulbactam

Generic name: Ampicillin And Sulbactam
Dosage form: injectable powder for injection (1 g-0.5 g; 10 g-5 g; 2 g-1 g)
Drug class: Beta-lactamase inhibitors

Usage of Ampicillin and sulbactam

Ampicillin and sulbactam are penicillin antibiotics that fight bacteria.

Ampicillin and sulbactam is a combination medicine used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Ampicillin and sulbactam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ampicillin and sulbactam side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Ampicillin and sulbactam may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

thrush (white patches inside your mouth or throat);

heart problems--fast heartbeats, chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

signs of a new infection--fever, headache, tiredness, ear pain or drainage, eye pain or redness, cough, skin rash, sores or pimples with pus, joint pain, ongoing neck or back pain, diarrhea, pain or burning when you urinate.

Common side effects of ampicillin and sulbactam may include:

diarrhea;

rash;

swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue;

vaginal itching or discharge;

pain where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Ampicillin and sulbactam

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to ampicillin or sulbactam, or if you have ever had

a severe allergic reaction to any type of penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic; or

liver problems (hepatitis or jaundice) while using ampicillin and sulbactam.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease;

mononucleosis (also called "mono");

kidney disease;

an allergy to any medication; or

any other allergies.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

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How to use Ampicillin and sulbactam

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Ampicillin and sulbactam is injected into a muscle, or given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Ampicillin and sulbactam must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. When using injections by yourself, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

After mixing ampicillin and sulbactam, you will need to use it within a certain number of hours. This will depend on the diluent and how you store the mixture (at cool room temperature, or in a refrigerator).

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

This medicine is usually given every 6 hours for 14 days. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Ampicillin and sulbactam will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

You may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

This medicine can affect the results of certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using ampicillin and sulbactam.

Store unmixed ampicillin and sulbactam at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Warnings

You should not use ampicillin and sulbactam if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any type of penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic, or if you have had liver problems while using ampicillin and sulbactam.

What other drugs will affect Ampicillin and sulbactam

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

allopurinol; or

probenecid.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect ampicillin and sulbactam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.