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What is the most important information I should know about ampicillin and sulbactam?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ampicillin and sulbactam or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to 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"), or a history of any type of allergy.

Ampicillin and sulbactam can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills. Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ampicillin and sulbactam will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What is ampicillin and sulbactam?

Ampicillin and sulbactam are antibiotics in the penicillin group of drugs. They fight bacteria in your body.

The combination of ampicillin and sulbactam is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Ampicillin and sulbactam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using ampicillin and sulbactam?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ampicillin and sulbactam 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 and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others), or if you have:

• kidney disease;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

• mononucleosis (also called "mono");

• a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or

• 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 use this medication.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Ampicillin and sulbactam can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills. Ampicillin and sulbactam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.