Ampicillin: Uses, dosages and side effects

Article by Pharmacist Duong Thanh Hai, Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

Ampicillin is an antibiotic, so patients should not self-medicate but need a prescription from a doctor.
Before being prescribed antibiotics, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or foods. This information is very important, especially if you have ever been allergic to any penicillin antibiotic. Then your doctor will consider your allergy history to choose the right antibiotic. If you are taking certain medications, let your doctor know as ampicillin can interact with certain medications, such as allopurinol, oral contraceptives, some other antibiotics (chloramphenicol, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline). probenecid. Sometimes drug interactions can cause decreased effectiveness or increase unwanted effects of the drug being taken.
Before taking the medicine, take the time to read the information leaflet in the medicine box, it will help you to know the side effects you may experience while taking the medicine. If you have any doubts about any information, ask for advice from medical staff (doctor, pharmacist, nurse).

When taking medicine, it is necessary to use the correct dose, frequency and duration as prescribed. Ampicillin has a short-term effect, so it needs to be taken several times a day to ensure its effectiveness (usually 4 times a day, 6 hours apart).
Ampicillin should be taken on an empty stomach, i.e. about 30 minutes to 1 hour before eating or waiting about 2 hours after eating. Should be taken so far away from meals because if taken with food, the amount of ampicillin drug absorbed into the body will be less, leading to a less effective drug. In addition, taking the medicine with plenty of water will also help the drug to be absorbed more easily. If you accidentally miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take 2 doses to make up for the missed dose. However, you should try to remember to take the correct number of doses each day to ensure the effectiveness of the antibiotic. In case you feel better, no longer have symptoms, continue taking the antibiotic for the full time as prescribed, unless advised to stop by your doctor. Taking enough time is to help prevent the infection from coming back.

Ampicillin 500mg is a relatively safe antibiotic, however, like any other medicine, sometimes you can experience some unwanted effects on the gastrointestinal tract with symptoms such as: nausea , vomiting, diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and do not require any medical treatment. Sometimes, however, medications can cause dangerous side effects in some people and require immediate medical attention. Dangerous symptoms include: erythema, itching, swelling of the face, swelling of the lips, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, shortness of breath, chest pain, unusual weakness, persistent or bloody diarrhea.

The medicine should be stored at room temperature (20-25 degrees Celsius), in a cool dry place, protected from light and out of reach of children. It is important to avoid overdosing, which leads to the disposal of antibiotics in the environment, as this can increase antibiotic resistance.
However, if you have leftover medicine, you should not arbitrarily give antibiotics to relatives or friends even if you think they have the same disease as you. Because, the same infection can be caused by different types of bacteria, and each antibiotic only works on certain types of bacteria. In addition, the choice of antibiotics also depends not only on the infectious disease but also must be appropriate to the disease level, the antibiotic sensitivity of the organism, the immunity as well as the drug tolerance characteristics. of each patient.
Ampicillin 500mg is an antibiotic, use it only when prescribed by a doctor, use the right dose, at the right time and for the full course to ensure effectiveness and prevent antibiotic resistance.