Penbritin (ampicillin)

How does it work?

Penbritin capsules, syrup and injection all contain the active ingredient ampicillin, which is a type of antibiotic called a penicillin. (NB. Ampicillin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Ampicillin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. The injection is used to treat more serious infections, or in cases where the medicine can't be taken by mouth.

Ampicillin works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to form cell walls. The cell walls of bacteria are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering their cells and stop the contents of their cells from leaking out. Ampicillin impairs the bonds that hold the bacterial cell wall together. This allows holes to appear in the cell walls and so kills the bacteria.

Ampicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic which kills a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of commonly-occuring infections. Ampicillin may be used to treat infections of the airways, ears, nose and throat. It may also be used to treat urine infections, certain sexually-transmitted infections, and certain infections affecting the blood or internal organs.

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to ampicillin your doctor may need to take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin, or a urine or blood sample.

What is it used for?

Bacterial infections of the ear, nose and throat, eg otitis media, sinusitis.

Bronchitis.

Pneumonia.

Bacterial infections of the urinary tract.

Gynaecological infections, eg gonorrhoea.

Bacterial infection of the blood (septicaemia or blood poisoning).

Bacterial infections in the abdomen (peritonitis).

Bacterial infections of the stomach and intestines.

Bacterial infection of the heart valves and the lining surrounding the heart (bacterial endocarditis).

Bacterial meningitis.

Typhoid and paratyphoid fever.

Warning!

Ampicillin capsules and syrup should be taken half an hour to an hour before food, or on an empty stomach. This is because the presence of food in the gut prevents the antibiotic from being properly absorbed into the bloodstream and thus will make it less effective.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of this antibiotic medicine, even if you feel better or it seems the infection has cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the infection will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can sometimes cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis). For this reason, if you get diarrhoea that becomes severe or persistent or contains blood or mucus, either during or after treatment with this medicine, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Penbritin syrup should be stored at 2°C to 8°C in a refrigerator. Make sure the medicine is out of the reach of children. Any remaining syrup should be carefully disposed of 14 days after opening.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function.

Not to be used in

Allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin type antibiotics.

This antibiotic should be avoided in people with suspected glandular fever, acute or chronic lymphoid leukaemia, or cytomegalovirus (CMV), as it commonly causes a rash in people with these conditions.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used during pregnancy.

The medicine passes into the breast milk, but at normal doses it is unlikely to harm the baby. It should be used with caution during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Take this medication an hour before food or on an empty stomach.

Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.

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