Ampicillin   (PDF Version)

Antibiotic Class

Penicillin (aminopenicillin)

Antimicrobial Spectrum

Gram-positive:  Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Listeria monocytogenes

Gram-negative:  H. influenzae, E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp.

Mechanism of Action

Exerts bactericidal activity via inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding one or more of the penicillin binding proteins (PBPs). Exerts bacterial autolytic effect by inhibition of certain PBPs related to the activation of a bacterial autolytic process.

Pharmacodynamics

Penicillins produce time-dependent killing

Pharmacokinetics

Cmax: 40mcg/ml; Half-life: 1-1.3h; Table 6 

Adverse Effects

Hematologic:  anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis

CNS:  seizures

Renal:  nephrotoxicity, interstitial nephritis

Hepatic:  transient increases in transaminases

Other:  Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction (fever, chills, sweating, tachycardia, hyperventilation, flushing, and myalgia)

Dosage

Adult:  250-500mg po q6h

1-2g IV q4h

Pediatric:  ³ 1 month and < 40 kg: 50-200 mg/kg day IV in 4-6 divided doses

< 1 week: 25 mg/kg IV/IM q 8-12h

³ 1 week and < 1 month: 25 mg/kg IV/IM q6-8h

> 40 kg: usual adult dose

Disease state based dosing

Renal failure:  CrCL 10-50 mL/min: Extend dosing interval to q 6-12h

                     CrCL < 10 mL/min: Extend dosing interval to q8-16h

Contraindications/Warnings/Precautions

Contraindications 

hypersensitivity to ampicillin or other penicillins

Precautions

Drug Interactions

Allopurinol – higher probablility of ampicillin rash; Atenolol – decreased atenolol effectiveness; Contraceptives - decreased contraceptive effectiveness; Lansoprazole – loss of ampicillin efficacy; Live Typhoid Vaccine - decreased immunological response to the typhoid vaccine; Omeprazole – loss of ampicillin efficacy; Pantoprazole – loss of ampicillin efficacy; Probenecid - increased ampicillin levels; Rabeprazole – loss of ampicillin efficacy

Pregnancy

Category B:No evidence of risk in humans but studies inadequate.

Monitoring Requirements

Therapeutic:  Culture and sensitivities, signs and symptoms of infection

Toxic:  Periodic CBC, urinalysis, BUN, Creatinine, AST and ALT, diarrhea, skin rash

Brand names/Manufacturer

Available by many names and manufacturers (click here)