Ampicillin belongs to a family of drugs derived from penicillin. Ampicillin can be ingested of quantities of 250mg or 500mg.
How It Works
Bacteria rely quite heavily upon the cell walls surrounding them. These cell walls serve dual purposes. They work to ensure that the bacteria is protected from outer substances. Concurrently, the cell wall ensures that none of the internal constituents unnecessarily move outside the bacteria as well. The function of Ampicillin is to slowly obliterate the cell walls. Once this begins to take place, the cell wall will disintegrate, causing the bacteria to die.
Ampicillin works to eradicate many different strains of bacteria. This includes but is not limited to bacteria of the respiratory system, the genitourinary tract, the gastrointestinal system, and meningitis.
Ampicillin has a considerable range of functions and is used to treat varying infections. As such, the overall dosage is conditional to the bacterial infection. You will be required to consult with a medical specialist to determine how to best treat your particular set of symptoms. According to the final analysis, you will have to take a certain amount of Ampicillin.
Your clinician will announce a set duration for which you will be required to consume Ampicillin. You should not halt your treatment prior to this date. If all of the bacteria are not eliminated, it may cause a resurgence of the infection.
Most adults will be counseled to take between 250mg and 3.5 grams of Ampicillin, depending on what type of infection they are suffering from. You may only have to take just one dose or continue consuming Ampicillin for a longer period of time.
In spite of the efficacy of Ampicillin, there may be a few additional indications that may present themselves during the course of therapy. Certain individuals may find the manifestations to be minor while others may experience more heightened indicators. The most reported indicators have been:
Rash that indicates a hypersensitivity to Ampicillin
A lack of interest in food
Inflammation of the stomach lining
Cramps all over the abdominal region
Discoloration and distortion of the appearance of the tongue
Discomfort in the mouth and of the tongue
Inflammation of the colon
Following the initial appearance of these symptoms, many of these should die down. If you do not experience this dissipation, it is important to contact a healthcare representative.
Ampicillin is not advised for these particular instances:
A previous allergic response to Ampicillin
Presence of mononucleosis
Currently being treated with a drug containing tetracycline
have received or will be the recipient of an oral typhoid vaccine
A list of details you should share with a healthcare representative:
Following a treatment plan that includes either blood thinners, Allopurinol, Aminoglycosides, or Probenecid
Hypersensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotic or cephalosporin
Stomach problems or diarrhea
It has not been verified if Ampicillin may cause birth defects. Nonetheless, you should tell a general practitioner if you are aware that you are expecting.
You should also inform the necessary medical personnel if you are thinking about breastfeeding in the near future.