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Ampicap
Description
Ampicap 250 Capsule: Black opaque and scarlet opaque capsule with "HD"
printed on one end and "AP 250" on the other end of the
capsule.
Ampicap 500 Capsule : Black opaque and scarlet opaque capsule with "HD"
printed on one end and "AP500" on the other end of the
capsule.
Composition
Ampicap 250 Capsule: Ampicillin (as trihydrate) 250 mg per capsule.
Ampicap
500 Capsule: Ampicillin (as trihydrate) 500 mg per capsule.
Actions and Pharmacology
Ampicillin, a bactericidal antibiotic, inhibits bacterial cell wall
synthesis by preventing cross-linkage of peptidoglycan chains which are
necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity. Also, cell division
and growth are inhibited and lysis of susceptible bacteria frequently
occurs. Ampicillin resembles benzylpenicillin in its action against
Gram-positive organisms, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, and other
streptococci but, apart perhaps from Enterococcus faecalis, it is slightly
less potent than benzylpenicillin. Listeria monocytogenes is highly
sensitive. The Gram-negative cocci Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis,
Neisseria gonorrhoea, and N. meningitidis are sensitive. Ampicillin is more
active than benzylpenicillin against some Gram-negative bacilli including
Haemophilus influenzae and Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia coli,
Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella and Shigella spp. It is inactive against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ampicillin also has activity similar to
benzylpenicillin against other organisms including many anaerobes and
Actinomyces spp. Oral absorption is reduced by food and excretion is mainly
via renal and biliary systems.
Indications
For the treatment of:
•
Respiratory tract infections
• Soft-tissue infections
•
Septicaemia caused by susceptible organisms
• Genitourinary tract infections (including gonorrhoea in females)
• Urethritis in males and females
• Bacterial meningitis
• Gastrointestinal tract
infections
Contraindications
•
Avoid in patients known to be hypersensitive to penicillins.
•
Not recommended for infectious mononucleosis because of increased risk of
ampicillin-induced skin rashes.
Precautions
•
Caution in patients with known histories of allergy and in severe renal
function impairment.
•
Patients with lymphatic leukemia or HIV infection may also beat increased
risk of developing skin rashes.
Use in pregnancy and lactation
Safety for use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established.
Main Side/Adverse Effects
Skin rashes are among the most common side-effects and are generally either
urticarial or maculopapular; the urticarial reactions are typical of
penicillin hypersensitivity while the erythematous maculopapular eruptions
are characteristic of ampicillin and often appear more than 7 days after
commencing treatment.
Most patients with infectious mononucleosis develop a maculopapular rash
when treated with ampicillin, and patients with other lymphoid disorders
such as lymphatic leukaemia also appear to be at higher risk.
Gastro-intestinal adverse effects particularly diarrhoea, and also nausea
and vomiting occur quite frequently, usually following administration by
mouth. Pseudomembranous colitis has also been reported.
Drug Interactions
• Avoid concurrent therapy with chloramphenicol, erythromycins,
sulphonamides and tetracyclines since these bacteriostatic drugs may
interfere with the bactericidal effect of penicillins.
•
Co-administration with allopurinol may increase the possibility of skin
rash, especially in hyperuricaemic patients.
• Ampicillin may decrease the
efficacy of oestrogen-containing oral contraceptives.
• It may affect the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on the
gastro-intestinal flora.
•
The possibility of a prolonged bleeding time following oral treatment with a
broad-spectrum antibiotic like ampicillin should be borne in mind in
patients receiving anticoagulants.
•
Probenecid: not to be used concomitantly when treating urinary tract
infection.
Overdosage
Clinical features: Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and
diarrhoea.
Treat overdosage by emesis or gastric lavage, if appropriate; and treat
gastrointestinal distress, if necessary, by giving milk every 3 hours
alternating with bismuth carbonate 5 g every 3 hours.
Dosage and Administration
Adults : Oral, 250 to 500 mg every six hours; or as directed. Children :
Infants and children up to 20 kg of body weight:
Oral, 12.5 to 25 mg per kg of body weight every six hours; or as directed.
Children 20 kg of body weight and over - See adult dose.
Note : The dosage of ampicillin will depend on the severity of the disease,
the age of the patient and renal function; the dose should be reduced in
severe renal failure.
The information given here is limited, for further information consult your
doctor or pharmacist.
Storage
Store below 25°C. Protect from moisture.
Presentation/Packing
Capsule 250 mg x 1000's, blisters of 10 x 10's
Capsule 500 mg x 100's,
500's, blisters of 10 x 10's |
