ampicillin sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Broad-spectrum aminopenicillin antibiotic
Usual role
Treatment of susceptible bacterial infections, including serious systemic infections
Administration
Powder reconstituted for injection, infusion or a licensed specialist local route
What is ampicillin sodium used for?
Licensed uses involve infections caused by ampicillin-sensitive organisms, particularly when oral treatment is unsuitable.
Ear, nose and throat infections
Bronchitis and pneumonia
Urinary tract and gastrointestinal infections, including enteric fever
Gonorrhoea and gynaecological infections
Septicaemia, peritonitis, endocarditis and meningitis
Prevention of wound infection following abdominal surgery by licensed local application
How does ampicillin sodium work?
Ampicillin binds bacterial proteins needed to build peptidoglycan, a structural part of the cell wall. This disrupts cell-wall formation and kills susceptible bacteria while they are multiplying.
ampicillin sodium preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 500 mg
How to take ampicillin sodium
This product must be reconstituted and given by a healthcare professional. It may be given into a muscle or vein, including by infusion; other licensed routes are for specialist use.
Tell the treating team about previous reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
Do not prepare, mix or administer the vial yourself unless specifically trained and authorised.
The vial is for single use.
ampicillin sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Itchy rash or hives
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, swelling or collapse
- Blistering, peeling or otherwise severe skin reaction
- Severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea suggesting antibiotic-associated colitis
- Signs of liver injury, such as jaundice
- Reduced urine or other signs of kidney inflammation
- Unusual bruising, bleeding or marked weakness from blood-cell changes
ampicillin sodium in pregnancy
Ampicillin may be considered during pregnancy when antibiotic treatment is needed. The prescriber should weigh the infection, bacterial susceptibility and individual circumstances; do not stop or delay necessary treatment without advice.
ampicillin sodium while breastfeeding
Penicillin antibiotics, including ampicillin, can generally be used while breastfeeding a full-term, healthy infant with precautionary monitoring. Seek specialist advice if the infant is premature or unwell, and watch for diarrhoea, thrush, rash or breathing problems.
ampicillin sodium interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products before treatment.
Aminoglycoside antibiotics
They may be prescribed together but must not be mixed in the same syringe, infusion container or giving set because the aminoglycoside can lose activity.
Bacteriostatic antibiotics
They may interfere with ampicillin’s bactericidal action, so concurrent use requires clinical review.
Probenecid
It reduces renal secretion of ampicillin and can increase and prolong ampicillin blood concentrations.
Common questions about ampicillin sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is ampicillin sodium a penicillin antibiotic?
Yes. It is the injectable sodium salt of ampicillin, a broad-spectrum aminopenicillin.
Why is ampicillin sodium given by injection?
The selected product is intended for parenteral use when oral treatment is inappropriate, including serious infections or when oral administration is not feasible.
What infections can ampicillin sodium treat?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.