Ampicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that is used to treat or prevent many different types of infections such as bladder infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, meningitis, or infections of the stomach or intestines.

Ampicillin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Ampicillin comes as a capsule and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken three to four times a day, either half an hour before or two hours after meals. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection that you have. Take ampicillin at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ampicillin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

The medication should be taken with a full glass of water.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with ampicillin. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Take ampicillin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking ampicillin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Take ampicillin on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

If you are being treated for gonorrhea, your doctor may also have you tested for syphilis, another sexually transmitted disease.

If you use this medicine long-term, your kidney function, liver function, and blood cells may need to be checked.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Ampicillin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Very severe infections may need to be treated for several weeks.

Ampicillin can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using ampicillin.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

You should not use ampicillin if you are allergic to ampicillin or any similar antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, Moxatag, and others), dicloxacillin, nafcillin, or penicillin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• diabetes;

• hay fever (seasonal allergy);

• asthma;

• diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics;

• kidney disease; or

• an allergy to a cephalosporin antibiotic.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Ampicillin can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

You should not breast-feed while using ampicillin.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the capsules at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep the suspension in the refrigerator, tightly closed, and dispose of any unused suspension after 14 days. Do not freeze.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Ampicillin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

• blisters, ulcers, or soreness in your mouth;

• skin rash, redness, or itching;

• fever, chills, sore throat, swollen glands, joint pain, or not feeling well;

• pale skin, cold hands and feet; or

• feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common side effects of ampicillin may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;

• rash;

• swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may affect ampicillin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to ampicillin.

If you are diabetic and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine while taking this medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the ampicillin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.