How to use
Be sure to take Ampicillin exactly as it was prescribed to you by your healthcare provider. Do not take this medication for longer than recommended, or in larger amounts. Follow the directions on your prescription label. 
Take this medication with a full glass of water and on an empty stomach. Take it at least two hours after eating and wait one hour before eating again. You should keep taking Ampicillin for the full prescribed time, even if symptoms improve.   
 
Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention if you believe you may have ingested too large a quantity of Ampicillin. Overdose symptoms may include:

• Behavioral changes
• Urinating less than usual
• Severe skin rash
• Seizure (black-out and convulsions)

Missed dose
If you accidentally forget to take a dose at its appointed time, take the missed dose immediately when you remember.  If you are close to the time of your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its appointed time. Do not take extra medication to make up for a missed dose or two doses at once, as this can cause dangerous side effects.

 
Notes
Do not share this medication with others, since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug. Ampicillin is only intended for the treatment of bacterial infections. Do not use Ampicillin to treat viral infections such as the flu or common cold. 

 
Storage
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Important note
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed that the taking of this medication is safe, appropriate or effective for you.

* Illustrations are for graphic purposes only and the ordered medication may differ in appearance.

Precautions
Do not use Ampicillin if you are allergic to Ampicillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:

• Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox);
• Carbenicillin (Geocillin);
• Dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);
• Oxacillin (Bactocill); or
• Penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others)

Before using Ampicillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially Cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex and others) or if you have:

• Asthma
• Kidney disease
• A bleeding or blood clotting disorder
• Mononucleosis (also called "mono")
• A history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics
• A history of any type of allergy

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Ampicillin.

Drug Interactions
Before taking Ampicillin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• Allopurinol (Zyloprim)
• Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• Probenecid (Benemid)
• A sulfa drug (such as Bactrim or Septra)
• A tetracycline antibiotic such as Demeclocycline (Declomycin), Doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), Minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or Tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Ampicillin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• Fever, sore throat and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
• Watery or bloody diarrhea
• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• Easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
• Urinating less than usual or not at all
• Agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
• Seizure (black-out or convulsions)

Less serious side effects of Ampicillin may include:

•  Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
•  Vaginal itching or discharge
•  Headache
•  Swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue
•  Thrush (white patches or inside your mouth or throat)

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor if any other side effects occur than the ones mentioned above, especially if they are bothersome.