Ampicillin+cloxacillin
About
Ampicillin+cloxacillin belongs to the group of medicines called 'antibiotics' used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. It is a 'broad-spectrum antibiotic' which treats bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, bones, lungs, and post-operative wound infections. Bacterial infections are caused due to the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body.
Ampicillin+cloxacillin contains two antibiotics, namely: Ampicillin and Cloxacillin. Ampicillin+cloxacillin works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell covering, which is necessary for their survival. Thereby kills the bacteria and helps in treating and preventing bacterial infections.
The dose and duration of Ampicillin+cloxacillin may vary depending upon your condition and the severity of the infection. In some cases, Ampicillin+cloxacillin may cause common side-effects such as diarrhoea, rashes, nausea, and vomiting. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Inform your doctor if you have any allergy (against any antibiotic), kidney or liver problems. Do not take Ampicillin+cloxacillin on your own as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol consumption to prevent unpleasant side-effects. Inform your doctor about your health condition and medications to rule out any unpleasant side-effects/interactions.
Uses of Ampicillin+cloxacillin
Medicinal Benefits
Ampicillin+cloxacillin belongs to the group of antibiotic medicines called penicillins. Ampicillin+cloxacillin is composed of two antibiotics, namely: ampicillin and cloxacillin. It is used to treat bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, bones, lungs, and post-operative wound infections. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic which is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Ampicillin+cloxacillin works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell covering, which is necessary for their survival. Thereby kills the bacteria and helps in treating and preventing bacterial infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ampicillin+cloxacillin
- Diarrhoea
- Rash
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before starting Ampicillin+cloxacillin, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy to any penicillin antibiotics, kidney/liver problems, infectious mononucleosis (viral infection with sore throat and fever), or leukaemia (blood cancer). Consult your doctor immediately if you experience skin rash or prolonged, significant diarrhoea with abdominal pain. Talk to your doctor before taking Ampicillin+cloxacillin if you had diarrhoea after taking antibiotics or inflammation of the bowel. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Ampicillin+cloxacillin to prevent unpleasant side-effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ampicillin+cloxacillin may interact with sulphonamides, bacteriostatic drugs, combined oral contraceptives, drugs used to decrease uric acid (allopurinol), and pain killers (aspirin).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have/had colitis (inflammation in the lining of the intestine or colon), bone marrow toxicity (blood cancer), and mononucleosis (viral infection with sore throat and fever).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionLimit consuming alcohol while taking Ampicillin+cloxacillin to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant; your doctor will prescribe Ampicillin+cloxacillin only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will decide if Ampicillin+cloxacillin can be taken by breastfeeding mother's or not.
Driving
safe if prescribedAmpicillin+cloxacillin does not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver disease before taking Ampicillin+cloxacillin.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease before taking Ampicillin+cloxacillin.
Children
safe if prescribedAmpicillin+cloxacillin is safe for children if prescribed by a doctor. The dose and duration may vary depending upon the age and severity of the infection.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Antibiotics can alter the useful bacteria in the stomach, which help in digestion. Therefore, you are advised to take foods rich in probiotics such as yoghurt/curd, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, buttermilk, natto and cheese.
- Eat fibre-rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas and bananas.
- Avoid foods rich in calcium, grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they might hinder the absorption of antibiotics.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and usage of tobacco.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. Symptoms of bacterial infection include chills, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Ampicillin+cloxacillin works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell covering, which is necessary for their survival. Thereby kills the bacteria and helps in treating and preventing bacterial infections.
Diarrhoea might be a side-effect of Ampicillin+cloxacillin. Drink lots of fluids and eat non-spicy food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience prolonged diarrhoea with abdominal pain, stop taking Ampicillin+cloxacillin and consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrhoeal medicine on your own.
Even if you feel better, it is recommended to complete the course of Ampicillin+cloxacillin as prescribed by the doctor as it is an antibiotic, and stopping it in between may lead to antibiotic resistance.
Pseudomembranous colitis (swelling or inflammation of the large intestine) has been reported with the use of antibiotics. If you experience prolonged or significant diarrhoea with abdominal cramps, stop taking Ampicillin+cloxacillin and consult your doctor immediately.
Ampicillin+cloxacillin may affect certain laboratory test results. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Ampicillin+cloxacillin.
Ampicillin+cloxacillin may affect the gut flora leading to decreased oestrogen reabsorption and lowered efficacy of combined oral contraceptives. Use other methods of contraception while on treatment with Ampicillin+cloxacillin. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
