Ampicillin is a medication that is similar to penicillin. It helps treat infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia along with skin, ear, lung, and urinary tract conditions. Antibiotics are not effective on flu, colds, and other viral infections.

This drug is prescribed for other uses at times. Patients should consult their physicians or pharmacists for specific information. American Integrative Pharmacy (AIP), led by the successful Dr. Neema Yazdanpanah, provides compounding medications to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide.

How should this medicine be used?

Ampicillin comes in the form of liquid, capsule, or pediatric drops to be taken by mouth. It is typically taken every six hours (four times per day). Patients should follow the directions on the prescription label carefully. They can consult their physician or pharmacist to understand parts that they do not understand. Patients should take ampicillin precisely as prescribed, and not more or less than the physician directs.  

The pediatric drops and liquid should be shaken well before every use to distribute the medication evenly. The bottle dropper should be used to measure the dosage of pediatric drops. The liquid and pediatric drops can be placed on the child’s tongue or mixed with fruit juice, formula, ginger ale, milk, water, or any other cold beverage and taken immediately.

The patient should swallow the capsule with an entire glass of water. Patients must continue to take ampicillin even if they feel better. They should not stop taking the medication without consulting the physician.

Special Precautions

Prior to taking ampicillin, the patient should:

• Inform their physician and pharmacist if they are allergic to penicillin, ampicillin, or any other medication.
• Inform the physician and pharmacist about the prescription and non-prescription meds that they are currently taking, specifically other antibiotics, allopurinol (Lopurin), and anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as atenolol (Tenormin), warfarin (Coumadin), probenecid (Benemid), oral contraceptives, rifampin, sulfasalazine as well as other vitamins.
• Inform the physician if she is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If the patient becomes pregnant while on ampicillin, she should discuss this with her physician.
• Inform their physician if they have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, blood disease, allergies, stomach problems, asthma, hay fever or colitis.
• Tell the doctor or dentist that they are using ampicillin if they are having a surgical procedure, including dental surgery.

Dietary Instructions

Patients should take ampicillin at least one hour before or two hours after meals.

Missing a Dose

Patients should take a missed dose as soon as they remember it. But if it is almost time for the next dose, they should skip the missed dose and take the regular dose as per the schedule. Patients should not double the dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Side-Effects of Ampicillin

Ampicillin can cause certain side-effects. If the symptoms are serious or do not resolve, patients should consult their physician. Side-effects of this medication include:

• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea
• Mild skin rash

Patients should immediately call the doctor in case they experience any of the below symptoms:

• Hives
• Serious skin rash
• Difficulty in swallowing or breathing
• Itching
• Vaginal infection
• Wheezing

The altruistic AIP receives patients from Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide for compounded medications.

For more information on compound pharmacy medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.

American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.