Ampicillin, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: ampicillin, injection; Omnipen-N; Polycillin-N; Totacillin-N

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a type of penicillin. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It will not cure infections caused by viruses, such as colds and the flu.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your health care provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin or other antibiotics or medicines. Also, tell him or her if you have asthma, hay fever, other allergies, or bleeding problems.

Tell your health care provider if you have kidney disease.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. This medicine may cause side effects in nursing infants. It may also make birth control pills less effective and may cause unusual vaginal bleeding. Talk with your health care provider about this.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by injection (shots). You must have all the shots your health care provider prescribes or the infection may return. Keep all of your appointments for these shots.

What should I watch out for?

Contact your health care provider or get medical help right away if you have an allergic reaction to this medicine (hives, itching, rash, tightening in your chest, trouble breathing).

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away or get emergency medical care): Abnormal bleeding, pain or burning where the shot was given.

Other: Diarrhea, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• allopurinol (Zyloprim, Lopurin)
• birth control pills (talk to your health care provider if you need birth control)
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin
• probenecid (Benemid) (may cause an interaction that your health care provider wants)
• tetracyclines such as tetracycline (Achromycin V, Sumycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx), minocycline (Minocin), and oxytetracycline (Terramycin).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.