Ampicillin Oral Suspension or Pediatric Drops

What is this medication?

AMPICILLIN (am pi SILL in) is a penicillin antibiotic. It treats some infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for colds, the flu, or other viruses.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Principen

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ampicillin, other penicillins or antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this drug by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked oral syringe, spoon, or dropper to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Take it on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before and 2 hours after food. Take all of this drug unless your health care provider tells you to stop it early. Keep taking it even if you think you are better. There may be unused or extra doses in the bottle after you finish the full course of antibiotics. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about your dose.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this drug in children. While it may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• allopurinol
• birth control pills
• certain antibiotics like chloramphenicol, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline
• probenecid

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your health care provider if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

If you have diabetes, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your health care provider.

Birth control may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your health care provider about using an extra method of birth control.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care provider as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions (skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
• bloody or watery diarrhea
• fever
• low red blood cell counts (trouble breathing; feeling faint; lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired)
• painful or difficulty swallowing
• redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• seizures

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care provider if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• nausea, vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.