What is ampicillin and sulbactam?
Ampicillin and sulbactam are antibiotics in the penicillin group of drugs. They fight
bacteria in your body.
The combination of ampicillin and sulbactam is used to treat many different types of
infections caused by bacteria.
Ampicillin and sulbactam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ampicillin and sulbactam?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ampicillin and sulbactam or to any
other penicillin antibiotic, such as:
-
amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox);
-
carbenicillin (Geocillin);
-
dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);
-
oxacillin (Bactocill); or
-
penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K,
Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).
Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you are
allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and
others), or if you have:
-
kidney disease;
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
-
mononucleosis (also called "mono");
-
a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or
-
a history of any type of allergy.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use this medication.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Ampicillin and sulbactam can make birth control pills less effective, which may
result in pregnancy. Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you use birth
control pills.
Ampicillin and sulbactam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take ampicillin and sulbactam?
Ampicillin and sulbactam is given as an injection into a muscle or through an IV needle
placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.
When it is given as an IV injection, this medicine must be given slowly, and can take up to 30
minutes to complete.
You may be shown how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if
you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing,
and other items used in giving the medicine.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this
container out of the reach of children and pets.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using ampicillin and sulbactam.
Store ampicillin and sulbactam at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and
light.
What happens if I miss a dose of ampicillin and sulbactam?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ampicillin and sulbactam?
Your pharmacist has information about ampicillin and sulbactam written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ampicillin and sulbactam?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling,
and red skin rash;
-
diarrhea that is watery or bloody; or
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.
Less serious side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, gas;
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vaginal itching or discharge;
-
headache;
-
itching;
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swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue;
-
thrush (white patches or inside your mouth or throat); or
-
pain, swelling, or other irritation where the needle is
placed.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ampicillin and sulbactam?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ampicillin and sulbactam or to any
other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin
(Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee
K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.
Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to
cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have asthma, kidney
disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, mononucleosis (also called "mono"), or a history
of any type of allergy.
Ampicillin and sulbactam can make birth control pills less effective, which may
result in pregnancy. Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you use birth
control pills.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ampicillin and sulbactam
will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms
you do.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you
have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop
the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What should I avoid while taking ampicillin and sulbactam?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you
have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop
the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect ampicillin and sulbactam?
Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the
following drugs:
-
allopurinol (Zyloprim);
-
probenecid (Benemid); or
-
an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin
(Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin
(Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with ampicillin and sulbactam. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of ampicillin and sulbactam?