Ampicillin Drug Study

Generic Name:
 Ampicillin
Brand Name:
 Ampicin
 Apo-Ampi
 Nu-Ampi
 Penbritin
Drug Illustration:

Classification:
 Anti-infective
Dosage/ Frequency/ Route:
 90 mg/ q12 hours/ Intravenous
Mechanism of Action:
 Interferes with cell wall replication of susceptible organisms; the cell wall rendered
osmotically unstable, swells, bursts from osmotic pressure; lysis mediated by cell wall
autolysins.
Indication:
 Gram-positive Cocci (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus
faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae)
 Gram-negative Bacilli (Haemophilus influenzae, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella, Shigella,
Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria monocytogenes)
 Gram-positive Bacilli
 Meningitis
  GI/GU and respiratory infections
 Endocarditis
 Otitis Media
 Skin Infection
 Bacterial Endocarditis
Contraindication:
 Hypersensitivity to penicillins
 Antimicrobial resistance
Side Effects/ Adverse Reaction:

 Gastrointestinal (Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Pseudomonas Colitis, Stomatitis, Black

hairy tongue)
 Genitourinary (Oliguria, Proteinuria, Hematuria, Vaginitis, Moniliasis,
Glomerulonephritis)
 Hema (Anemia, Increased bleeding time, Bone marrow depression, Granulocytopenia,
Leukopenia, Eosinophilia, Hemolysis)
 Integumentary (Rash, Urticaria, Erythema, Multiforme)
 Miscellaneous (Anaphylaxis, Serum sickness, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Toxic
epidermal necrolysis)

Nursing Responsibility:
 Assess for infection. Product may be taken as soon as culture is taken.
 Assess for nephrotoxicity by checking the I and O ratio, report hematuria, oliguria; renal
studies, urinalysis.
 Check respiratory status: rate, character, wheezing, tightness in the chest.
 Assess for signs of anaphylaxis: rash, itching, dyspnea, facial swelling, stop product
administration and inform the physician right away.
 Monitor sodium level because each gram of ampicillin contains 2.9 mEq of sodium.
Patient Teaching
 Tell patient to take quantity of drug exactly as prescribed, even after he feels better.
 Instruct patient to take oral form on an empty stomach 1 hour before or two hours after
meals.
 Inform patient to notify prescriber if rash, fever, or chills develop.
 Advise patient to report discomfort at I.V. injection site.
REFERENCE:
Kelly, W. J., & Robinson, J. M., RN, MSN. (2006). Nursing 2006 drug handbook. Philadelphia,
Penn., USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins