1. Uses of Ampicillin 1g
What is Ampicillin 1g? The drug's main component is Ampicillin - a broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against both gram-negative and gram-positive cocci. Regarding its mechanism of action, Ampicillin affects bacterial reproduction, inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell wall mucopeptide, leading to effective bacterial elimination.
Ampicillin 1g is indicated in the following cases:
- Treatment of upper respiratory tract infections caused by certain bacterial strains;
- Treatment of sinusitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, otitis media, and epiglottitis caused by susceptible bacterial strains;
- Treatment of meningitis caused by Pneumococcus, Meningococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae;
- Treatment of Listeria infection (as this bacteria is highly sensitive to Ampicillin).
On the other hand, Ampicillin 1g is not indicated in the following cases:
- People with hypersensitivity to the ingredients or excipients in the drug;
- People infected with Herpes group viruses, especially infectious mononucleosis.
2. Administration and dosage of Ampicillin 1g
2.1 Administration
The drug is administered via intramuscular injection or intravenous injection.
- For intramuscular injection, dissolve 1g Ampicillin with 3.5ml of water for injection;
- For intravenous injection/intravenous infusion, dissolve 1g Ampicillin with 5-10ml of water for injection.
The prepared solution should be injected slowly over at least 3-5 minutes for each 250-500mg dose, and over at least 10-15 minutes for 1g doses. Ampicillin can be added to injection solutions, infusions with appropriate dilution.
Regarding stability and compatibility:
- Ampicillin 1g is less stable in glucose solutions or other carbohydrates. Therefore, solutions containing Ampicillin should not be mixed with blood products or hydrolyzed protein solutions. Due to incompatibility, Ampicillin should not be mixed in the same container with Aminoglycoside drugs;
- Ampicillin sodium injection solution should be administered immediately after preparation and should not be frozen.
2.2 Dosage
Dosage for adults:
- Recommended: Intramuscular injection or slow intermittent intravenous injection over 3-6 minutes, 0.5-2g/dose, every 4-6 hours or intravenous infusion;
- Treatment of septicemia or bacterial meningitis: Use a dose of 8-14g or 150-200mg/kg, administered in multiple injections, 3-4 hours apart. For initial treatment of septicemia or bacterial meningitis, intravenous injection should be given for at least 3 days, followed by intramuscular injection.
Dosage for children:
- Septicemia or bacterial meningitis: Use a dose of 100-200mg/kg/day, divided into smaller doses, given every 3-4 hours. Start with intravenous injection for 3 days, then continue with intramuscular injection;
For infections other than meningitis:- Newborns ≤ 1 week old: Use 25mg/kg intramuscular or intravenous injection, every 12 hours (for babies weighing ≤ 2kg) or every 6 hours (for babies weighing over 2kg);
- Newborns over 1 week old: Use 25mg/kg intramuscular or intravenous injection, every 8 hours (for babies weighing ≤ 2kg) or every 6 hours (for babies weighing over 2kg);
- For meningitis in children under 2 months old: Use intravenous dose of 100-300mg/kg/day, divided into multiple doses and combined with intramuscular Gentamicin.
Dosage for patients with renal impairment:
- Creatinine clearance ≥ 30ml/min: Use normal adult dosage;
- Creatinine clearance ≤ 10ml/min: Use normal adult dosage every 8 hours;
- Patients on dialysis: An additional dose of Ampicillin is needed after each dialysis session.
The duration of treatment will depend on the type and severity of infection. For most types of infections, treatment should continue for at least 48-72 hours after the patient's symptoms resolve.
When Ampicillin is overdosed, neurological reactions (including seizures) may occur if b-lactam concentration in cerebrospinal fluid is high. Treatment involves removing Ampicillin from general circulation by hemodialysis.
3. Side effects of Ampicillin 1g
Some side effects patients may experience when using Ampicillin 1g::
- Common: Diarrhea, rash (exanthema);
- Less common: Thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, anemia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, stomatitis, glossitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urticaria, colitis, pseudomembranous colitis;
- Rare: Anaphylactic reactions, "late onset" skin allergies, exfoliative dermatitis, and erythema multiforme.
For side effects, if treatment with Ampicillin is prolonged, periodic liver and kidney function tests are needed. Also, it's necessary to thoroughly assess whether the patient has previously been allergic to Penicillin or Cephalosporin, or other allergenic agents. If allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock, urticaria, or Steven Johnson syndrome occur, Ampicillin should be discontinued and treatment with Epinephrine (adrenaline) initiated immediately. Subsequently, treatment with Penicillin and Cephalosporin should never be used again.
4. Precautions when using Ampicillin 1g
Some notes patients should remember when using Ampicillin 1g:
- Skin testing should be done before using Ampicillin. If the patient is hypersensitive to the drug, it should absolutely not be used;
- If long-term treatment with Ampicillin is needed, liver and kidney function should be checked periodically;
- To reduce local pain when injecting Ampicillin, deep and slow injection is recommended;
- Dissolved Ampicillin should be injected immediately. If it needs to be stored, it should be refrigerated but not for more than 24 hours;
- Caution with risk of cross-resistance with Cephalosporins;
- Patients with renal impairment should reduce the dosage of Ampicillin;
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women can use Ampicillin 1g at normal therapeutic doses but should strictly follow the doctor's instructions
5. Drug interactions of Ampicillin1g
Some drug interactions of Ampicillin 1g include::
- Avoid combining Ampicillin with Allopurinol as it may increase the risk of skin rash;
- Bacteriostatic antibiotics such as Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol, and Erythromycin may reduce the bacterial killing ability of Ampicillin
When using Ampicillin 1g, patients need to strictly follow all doctor's instructions. This ensures the drug provides the best therapeutic effect and reduces the risk of experiencing side effects and unpredictable complications.
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