What is bacampicillin?
Bacampicillin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillins. It fights bacteria in the
body.
Bacampicillin is used to treat many different types of infections, such as tonsillitis,
pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and infections of the skin.
Bacampicillin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bacampicillin?
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to another penicillin or to a cephalosporin, do
not take bacampicillin without first talking to your doctor.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, stomach or
intestinal disease, or infectious mononucleosis. You may not be able to take bacampicillin because
of an increased risk of side effects.
If you are a diabetic, some glucose urine tests may give false positive results while you are
taking bacampicillin.
Bacampicillin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to
be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not, however, take bacampicillin without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Bacampicillin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby, although it is not
expected to be harmful. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take bacampicillin?
Take bacampicillin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Bacampicillin can be taken with or without food.
Bacampicillin should be taken at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night to
keep the medicine level in your blood high enough to treat the infection.
Take all of the bacampicillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel
better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
It is important to take bacampicillin regularly to get the most benefit.
Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of bacampicillin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a
double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
If you have only missed one dose, take the rest of the scheduled doses for the day at evenly
spaced intervals.
Where can I get more information about bacampicillin?
Your pharmacist has information about bacampicillin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of bacampicillin?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking bacampicillin and
seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediatley:
-
an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat;
hives; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; rash; or fainting);
-
seizures;
-
severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps; or
-
unusual bleeding or bruising.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take bacampicillin and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain;
-
white patches on the tongue (thrush/yeast infection);
-
itching or discharge of the vagina (vaginal yeast infection);
or
-
black, "hairy" tongue or sore mouth or tongue.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What is the most important information I should know about bacampicillin?
Take all of the bacampicillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel
better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.
Bacampicillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method
of birth control while taking bacampicillin to ensure protection from unintended pregnancy.
What should I avoid while taking bacampicillin?
Alcohol may irritate the stomach if taken with bacampicillin, so use it with moderation.
What other drugs will affect bacampicillin?
Before taking bacampicillin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
-
cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
-
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
-
allopurinol (Zyloprim);
-
probenecid (Benemid)
-
another antibiotic (for the same or for a different infection)
such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., others), tetracycline (Sumycin, others),
minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, others), or any other antibiotic.
Bacampicillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.
Use a second method of birth control while taking bacampicillin to ensure protection from
unintended pregnancy.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with bacampicillin. Talk to your doctor
and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins,
minerals, and herbal products.
What happens if I have an overdose of bacampicillin?