Ampicillin

Chances are that you already know quite a bit about antibiotics, which are drugs that are normally used in order to treat infections caused by various types of bacteria. Ampicillin represents a penicillin antibiotic, which means that it works by killing various sensitive bacteria.

The drug manages to do this by interfering with the formation of the cell wall of the bacteria during its growth process. This in return weakens the cell and ruptures it, thus causing the death of the targeted bacteria.

What should I know prior to using Ampicillin?

Just like it is with most other drugs available on the market, it is important to have a background into how the medicine should be taken, what its side effects are and which conditions it is incompatible with. Based on this, it is important to not use the antibiotic in case you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in the drug, or other penicillin-based antibiotics. Together with this, you should also keep away from Ampicillin in case you are taking a tetracycline antibiotic, have mononucleosis, or have recently received an oral typhoid vaccine. Based on this, prior to purchasing the drug, also make sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, have any allergies, are taking other prescriptions, or have had severe allergic reactions to antibiotics in the past. Doing so can not only keep you safe during the treatment, but will also allow doctors to find a better treatment, suitable with your current conditions.

There are also a couple of medicines that may interact with the substance. This is why dosage changes may be made if you are taking tetracyclines, probenecid, anticoagulants and more.

How to take Ampicillin?

It is important to only take the drug as it is described by your doctor. With this in mind, usually, the pill needs to be taken by mouth, one-half hours, to two hours after eating, with a full glass of water. In order to get the full benefit of the antibiotic, it is important to take it on a regular schedule, but also during the full course. While improvements may be seen, make sure to take Ampicillin until the end to make sure that its effects will last.

Do keep in mind the fact that the pill only works against bacteria. This means that it is not capable of treating viral infections such as the common cold. During treatment, it is also important to stay hydrated to avoid any issues later down the line.

Are there any side effects associated with taking Ampicillin?

Currently, some of the common side effects include inflammation or redness of the tongue, irritation of the mouth, vomiting, nausea and more. If more severe side effects are noticed, it is important to seek emergency medical help.