pharmacopeia
GET
/api/v1/drug/ampicillin
2D structure
(2S,5R,6R)-6-[[(2R)-2-amino-2-phenylacetyl]amino]-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid
SMILES CC1([C@@H](N2[C@H](S1)[C@@H](C2=O)NC(=O)[C@@H](C3=CC=CC=C3)N)C(=O)O)C
InChIKey AVKUERGKIZMTKX-NJBDSQKTSA-N

Mechanism of action

Sourced from openFDA

Mechanism-of-action class: Transpeptidase Inhibitors.

Transpeptidase

Indications

Sourced from openFDA
  • Ampicillin for Injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the following conditions: Respiratory Tract Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase and nonpenicillinase-producing), H. influenzae, and Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.

Contraindications

Sourced from openFDA
  • A history of a previous hypersensitivity reaction to any of the penicillins is a contraindication.contraindicated

Dosage & administration

Sourced from openFDA

This insert is for a Pharmacy Bulk Package and is intended for preparing IV admixtures only. Dosage recommendations for intravenous injection are for informational purposes only. Infections of the respiratory tract and soft tissues. Patients weighing 40 kg (88 lbs) or more: 250 mg to 500 mg every 6 hours. Patients weighing less than 40 kg (88 lbs): 25 to 50 mg/kg/day in equally divided doses at 6- to 8-hour intervals. Infections of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts (including those caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in females). Patients weighing 40 kg (88 lbs) or more: 500 mg every 6 hours. Patients weighing less than 40 kg (88 lbs): 50 mg/kg/day in equally divided doses at 6- to 8-hour intervals. In the treatment of chronic urinary tract and intestinal infections, frequent bacteriological and clinical appraisal is necessary. Smaller doses than those recommended above should not be used. Higher doses should be used for stubborn or severe infections. In stubborn infections, therapy may be required for several weeks. It may be necessary to continue clinical and/or bacteriological follow-up for several months after cessation of therapy. Urethritis in males due to N. gonorrhoeae. Adults - Two doses of 500 mg each at an interval of 8 to 12 hours. Treatment may be repeated if necessary or extended if required. In the treatment of complications of gonorrheal urethritis, such as prostatitis and epididymitis, prolonged and intensive therapy is recommended.

Warnings & precautions

Sourced from openFDA

Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactoid) reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy. Although anaphylaxis is more frequent following parenteral therapy, it has occurred in patients on oral penicillins. These reactions are more apt to occur in individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. There have been well-documented reports of individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity reactions who have experienced severe hypersensitivity reactions when treated with a cephalosporin. Before initiating therapy with a penicillin, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins, and other allergens. If an allergic reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted. SERIOUS ANAPHYLACTOID REACTIONS REQUIRE IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY TREATMENT WITH EPINEPHRINE, OXYGEN, INTRAVENOUS STEROIDS, AND AIRWAY MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING INTUBATION, SHOULD ALSO BE ADMINISTERED AS INDICATED. Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including ampicillin for injection, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to over-growth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C.

Adverse reactions

Sourced from openFDA

As with other penicillins, it may be expected that untoward reactions will be essentially limited to sensitivity phenomena. They are more likely to occur in individuals who have previously demonstrated hypersensitivity to penicillins and in those with a history of allergy, asthma, hay fever, or urticaria. The following adverse reactions have been reported as associated with the use of ampicillin: Gastrointestinal Glossitis, stomatitis, black “hairy” tongue, nausea, vomiting, enterocolitis, pseudomembranous colitis, and diarrhea. (These reactions are usually associated with oral dosage forms.) Hypersensitivity Reactions Skin rashes and urticaria have been reported frequently. A few cases of exfoliative dermatitis and erythema multiforme have been reported. Anaphylaxis is the most serious reaction experienced and has usually been associated with the parenteral dosage form. Note: Urticaria, other skin rashes, and serum sickness-like reactions may be controlled with antihistamines and, if necessary, systemic corticosteroids. Whenever such reactions occur, ampicillin should be discontinued, unless, in the opinion of the physician, the condition being treated is life-threatening and amenable only to ampicillin therapy. Serious anaphylactic reactions require the immediate use of epinephrine, oxygen, and intravenous steroids. Liver - A moderate rise in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) has been noted, particularly in infants, but the significance of this finding is unknown.

Use in specific populations

Sourced from openFDA

Pregnancy Category B Reproduction studies have been performed in laboratory animals at doses several times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of adverse effects due to ampicillin. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Overdosage

Sourced from openFDA

In cases of overdose, discontinue medication, treat symptomatically, and institute supportive measures as required. In patients with renal function impairment, ampicillin-class antibiotics can be removed by hemodialysis but not peritoneal dialysis.

Approval history

Sourced from openFDA
  • Mar 3, 1971ANDAANDA061395Sandoz
  • Dec 31, 1986NDANDA050608Pfizer
  • Feb 19, 1987ANDAANDA062738Sandoz
  • May 12, 1987ANDAANDA062719Istituto Bio Ita Spa
  • Apr 15, 1993ANDAANDA062772Hq Speclt Pharma
  • Apr 15, 1993ANDAANDA063142Hq Speclt Pharma
  • Jul 12, 1993ANDAANDA062797Istituto Bio Ita Spa
  • Aug 29, 1995ANDAANDA064082Sandoz

FAERS reports

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Reference statistics only. FAERS reports are voluntarily submitted and are not incidence rates, safety signals, or causal evidence. Counts reflect reporting volume — how often a reaction was reported, not how often it occurs. For decision-grade use, consult openFDA and the FAERS Public Dashboard directly.
10,619 total reports matchedLatest report Share = reports listing the reaction ÷ total matched reports. Rows can sum to >100% because a single report often lists multiple reactions.
  1. 1Drug Ineffective9799.2%
  2. 2Foetal Exposure During Pregnancy6736.3%
  3. 3Drug Hypersensitivity6576.2%
  4. 4Pyrexia5625.3%
  5. 5Maternal Exposure During Pregnancy5475.2%
  6. 6Premature Baby5275.0%
  7. 7Off Label Use4964.7%
  8. 8Pneumonia4284.0%
  9. 9Acute Kidney Injury3733.5%
  10. 10Renal Failure3713.5%
  11. 11Rash3683.5%
  12. 12Dyspnoea3623.4%
  13. 13Premature Delivery3453.2%
  14. 14Diarrhoea3413.2%
  15. 15Pain3363.2%

Literature

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Recent PubMed references pinned to Ampicillin as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Clinical trials

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The 10 most recently updated of 858 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Ampicillin as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

Structural analogs

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Ranked by 2D fingerprint (Tanimoto) similarity over PubChem structures. Structural proximity only — not a claim of therapeutic equivalence.

Frequently asked questions

How does Ampicillin work?
Mechanism-of-action class: Transpeptidase Inhibitors.
What is Ampicillin used for?
According to FDA labeling, Ampicillin carries indications including: Ampicillin for Injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the following conditions: Respiratory Tract Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase and nonpenicillinase-producing), H. influenzae, and Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
What class of drug is Ampicillin?
Ampicillin is classified as Antibiotics, Penicillins with extended spectrum, Penicillin-class Antibacterial, Transpeptidase Inhibitors, Decreased Cell Wall Synthesis & Repair.
What are the brand names for Ampicillin?
Ampicillin is marketed under brand names including Polyflex, Unasyn.
What are the contraindications for Ampicillin?
Ampicillin labeling lists contraindications including: A history of a previous hypersensitivity reaction to any of the penicillins is a contraindication.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
Note. Data for ampicillin is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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