Ampicillin
Also sold as: Penbritin
Prescription neededPenicillins
Comes as:CapsuleInjection
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor. Mostly given by injection in hospital. Capsules: usually 250 to 500 mg every 6 hours on an empty stomach. Finish the full course.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- diarrhoea
- nausea
- mild skin rash
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe allergic reaction (swelling of face or throat
- difficulty breathing)
- severe or bloody diarrhoea
- severe skin rash with blisters
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Allergy to penicillin or any penicillin-type antibiotic
- Previous severe allergic reaction to a cephalosporin (use with caution)
- Severe kidney disease (dose may need to be lowered)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Moderate1 medicineTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Warfarin
Can change the effect of warfarin; INR should be checked during the course.
Minor1 medicineUsually not a problem, but tell your doctor.
- Allopurinol
Skin rash is more common when ampicillin is taken with allopurinol.