Ampicillin
Ampicillin is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics. It is considered a penicillin and is a close relative of another penicillin, amoxicillin. Unlike penicillin, ampicillin and amoxicillin can penetrate and prevent the growth of certain types of bacteria, called gram-negative bacteria.
Oral ampicillin (or amoxicillin) is effective against susceptible bacteria causing infections of the middle ear, sinuses, bladder, and kidney. Only mild to moderate infections are treated with oral ampicillin. Bacteria against which ampicillin often is effective include: enterococci, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, some Hemophilus influenzae, Gardnerella vaginalis, Bordetella pertussis, and some E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella, and Shigella. Susceptibilities of bacteria to antibiotics vary from location to location. Thus, some doctors may use ampicillin or amoxicillin first for some infections, whereas other doctors may use more "broad-spectrum" antibiotics.
Allergic reactions are relatively common side effects during therapy with any of the penicillins. These reactions can range from rashes to anaphylaxis, a severe condition in which there may be shock and even death. Rashes occur more frequently with ampicillin than with the other penicillins. The incidence of rash with ampicillin seems to be higher in patients with viral illnesses, such as mononucleosis.
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are commonly reported gastrointestinal side effects during ampicillin therapy, but are rarely severe.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you
notice any other effects, check with your doctor. This information is meant
only as a guideline - always consult a physician or pharmacist for complete
information about prescription medications.
On behalf of learning, and use as teaching tools for those of us who need to
know about our disease, I have tried to supply you with as much information as
I could find on all of the drugs, treatments and disorders associated with
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. I have tried to blend all facts supported by research
and also from personal experiences of other IBD sufferers into one readable webpage, and any and all information presented here is not entirely
from one source. Most information contained within these pages is found in the public domain.
At times you may find information used from another site, and as with all copyrighted materials you may find on these pages, I claim fair use under sections 107 through 118 of the Copyright Act (title 17, U.S. Code). Click here for more info
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