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Ampicillin

    Brands

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Ampi, Omnipen, Penglobe, Principen

    • Penicillins, Amino

    Aminopenicillin similar to amoxicillin; not stable to beta-lactamases of either gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria; used commonly for obstetric infections, otitis media, sinusitis and other infections due to susceptible organisms; oral ampicillin exhibits lower bioavailability and higher incidence of GI effects than amoxicillin.

    Indicated for the treatment of severe infections, including bacteremia.

    For Endocarditis Prophylaxis (Off-label)

    • Dental, oral, or respiratory tract procedures

    • Genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract procedures

    For the treatment of Endocarditis (Off-label)

    For the treatment of Genitourinary Tract Infections (Excluding Gonorrhea)

    For the treatment of Gastrointestinal Tract Infections

    For the treatment of Urinary Tract Infection (ampicillin-susceptible Enterococcus; Off-label)

    For the treatment of Gonorrhea, Respiratory Tract Infections

    Indicated for Bacterial Meningitis/Septicemia, Group B Streptococcus (Off-label), Listeria Infection (Off-label).

    Hypersensitivity

    • Erythema multiforme
    • Exfoliative dermatitis
    • Rash
    • Urticaria
    • Fever
    • Seizure
    • Black hairy tongue
    • Diarrhea
    • Enterocolitis
    • Glossitis
    • Nausea
    • Oral candidiasis
    • Pseudomembranous colitis
    • Stomatitis
    • Vomiting
    • Agranulocytosis
    • Anemia
    • Hemolytic anemia
    • Eosinophilia
    • Leukopenia
    • Thrombocytopenia purpura
    • Anaphylaxis
    • Aspartate aminotransferase increased
    • Interstitial nephritis
    • Laryngeal stridor
    • Serum sickness-like reaction

    Use caution in allergy to cephalosporins, carbapenems

    Adjust dose in renal failure; evaluate rash and differentiate from hypersensitivity reaction

    Endocarditis prophylaxis: Use only for high-risk patients, per AHA Guidelines

    Prolonged use associated with fungal or bacterial superinfection

    Rash has developed during therapy in high percentage of patients with infectious mononucleosis receiving ampicillin class antibiotics; avoid therapy in these patients

    Pregnancy category: B

    Lactation: Excreted in breast milk; use caution

    Adults

    2 g/day PO. 200 mg/kg/day IV/IM per FDA-approved product labeling (Max: 12 g/day).

    Geriatric

    2 g/day PO. 200 mg/kg/day IV/IM per FDA-approved product labeling (Max: 12 g/day).

    Adolescents

    100 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 2 g/day); 200 mg/kg/day IV/IM per FDA-approved product labeling; however, doses up to 400 mg/kg/day IV (Max: 12 g/day) have been used off-label for serious infections.

    Children

    100 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 2 g/day); 200 mg/kg/day IV/IM per FDA-approved product labeling; however, doses up to 400 mg/kg/day IV (Max: 12 g/day) have been used off-label for serious infections.

    Infants

    100 mg/kg/day PO; 200 mg/kg/day IV/IM per FDA-approved product labeling; however, doses up to 400 mg/kg/day IV have been used off-label for serious infections.

    Neonates

    older than 7 days: 150 mg/kg/day IV/IM per FDA-approved product labeling; however, doses up to 300 mg/kg/day IV have been used off-label for serious infections.
    0 to 7 days and older than 34 weeks gestation: 150 mg/kg/day IV/IM per FDA-approved product labeling; however, doses up to 300 mg/kg/day IV have been used off-label for serious infections.
    0 to 7 days and 34 weeks gestation or younger: 100 mg/kg/day IV/IM per FDA-approved product labeling; however, doses up to 300 mg/kg/day IV have been used off-label for serious infections.

    Ampicillin

    capsules

    • 250mg
    • 500mg

    oral suspension

    • 125mg/5mL
    • 250mg/5mL

    powder for injection

    • 125mg
    • 250mg
    • 500mg
    • 1g
    • 2g
    • 10g