Ampicillin Sodium

Indications

Ampicillin Sodium (Skycillin) is used to treat infections caused by susceptible strains of the organisms listed below. For infections of the genitourinary tract, including gonorrhea, these are E. coli, P. mirabilis, enterococci, Shigella, S. typhosa and other Salmonella, and nonpenicillinase-producing N. gononhoeae. For infections of the respiratory tract, they are nonpenicillinase-producing H. influenzae and staphylococci, and streptococci including streptococcus pneumoniae. For infections of the gastrointestinal tract, they are Shigella, S. typhosa and other Salmonella, E. coli, P. mirabilis, and enterococci. For meningitis, the organism is O. Meningitides. Bacteriology studies should be done to find the causative organisms and check how sensitive they are to ampicillin. Therapy may be started before the susceptibility test results come back.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Ampicillin stops bacteria from building their cell walls. It does this by binding to 1 or more of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), and that blocks the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in the bacterial cell wall. While the wall assembly is held up, the cell wall autolytic enzymes (autolysins and murein hydrolases) keep working, and the bacteria eventually lyse.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Ampicillin Sodium is Pregnancy Category B. This means that either animal-reproduction studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women, or animal-reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect (other than a decrease in fertility) that controlled studies in women in the 1st trimester did not confirm, and there is no evidence of a risk in later trimesters.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Ampicillin Sodium is used by the intra-articular route as a supplement to systemic therapy for susceptible infections. Adults get 500 mg daily, and children under 10 yr get half of the adult routine dosage. The intraperitoneal route is the same: a supplement in systemic therapy for susceptible infections, 500 mg daily for adults and half of the adult routine dosage for children under 10 yr. Intrapleural use also follows this pattern, with 500 mg daily for adults and half of the adult routine dosage for children under 10 yr. By the intravenous route, meningitis is treated in adults with 2 gm 6 hrly. Children get 150 mg/kg daily in divided doses. Intrapartum prophylaxis against group B Streptoccocal infection in neonates starts with 2 gm via IV inj in adults. Initially that dose is given alone, and then 1 gm 4 hrly follows until delivery. Oral doses come next. Biliary tract infections, bronchitis, endocarditis, gastroenteritis, listeriosis, otitis media, perinatal streptococcal infections and peritonitis are treated in adults with 0.25 to 1 gm 6 hrly. Children under 10 yr get half of the adult routine dosage. Typhoid and paratyphoid fever needs 1 to 2 gm 6 hrly for 2 wk in acute infections, and 4 to 12 wk in carriers. Uncomplicated gonorrhoea is treated with 2 gm given with 1 gm of probenecid as a single dose, and this is recommended to be repeated in female patients. Urinary tract infections need 500 mg 8 hrly in adults. For parenteral use in susceptible infections, adults get 500 mg 6 hrly, given via IM or slow IV inj over 3 to 5 min or by infusion. Children under 10 yr get half of the adult routine dosage. Septicaemia in adults is treated with 150 to 200 mg/kg daily. Start with IV admin for at least 3 days, then continue with IM inj 3 to 4 hrly. Treatment goes on for at least 48 to 72 hr after the patient has become asymptomatic or when there is evidence of bacterial eradication. Infections caused by group-A β-haemolytic streptococci should be treated for at least 10 days, to prevent acute rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis. Children get the same dose as adults.

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Ampicillin Sodium

Indications

Pharmacology

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Dosage Reference

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

Key Interactions