Adult Dosing
Enterococcal Endocarditis
- 12 g/day IV continuously or in equally divided doses q4 hrs plus 1 mg/kg IV/IM gentamicin in divided doses q8 hrs x 4-6 wk
Endocarditis prophylaxis
- 2 g dose IV/IM 30 min before procedure
Respiratory Tract and Soft Tissue Infections
- Adults >40 kg: 250-500 mg IV/IM in divided doses q6 hrs
Bacterial Meningitis
- 1-2 g IV in divided doses q3-4 hrs
- Max: 14 g/day
Septicemia
- 150-200 mg/kg/day IV for at least 3 days followed by IM route q3-4 hrs
GI and GU infections (N. gonorrhoeae)
- Adults >40 kg: 500 mg IV/IM in divided doses q6 hrs
Pediatric Dosing
Endocarditis prophylaxis
- Children: 50 mg/kg IV/IM 30 min before procedure
- Max: 2 g/dose
Respiratory Tract and Soft Tissue Infections
Children
- <40 kg: 25-50 mg/kg/day IV/IM in equally divided doses q6-8 hrs
- >40 kg: 250-500 mg IV/IM q6 hrs
Neonates
- <7 days:
- <2 kg: 50-100 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q12 hrs
- >2 kg: 75-150 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q8 hrs
- >7 days
- <1.2 kg: 50-100 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q12 hrs
- 1.2-2 kg: 75-150 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q8 hrs
- >2 kg: 100-200 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q6 hrs
- Infants: 100-400 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q4-6 hrs
- Max: 12 g/day
Bacterial Meningitis
Neonates
- <7 days:
- <2 kg: 100 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q12 hrs
- >2 kg: 150 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q8 hrs
- >7 days
- <1.2 kg: 100 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q12 hrs
- 1.2-2 kg: 150 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q8 hrs
- >2 kg: 200 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q6 hrs
- Infants or Children: 200-400 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q4-6 hrs
- Max: 12 g/day
Septicemia
- Children: 150-200 mg/kg/day IV for at least 3 days followed by IM q3-4 hrs
GI and GU infections (N. gonorrhoeae)
Children
- <40 kg: 50 mg/kg/day IV/IM in divided doses q6-8 hrs
- >40 kg: 500 mg IV/IM in divided doses q6 hrs
Pediatrics Pneumonia [Non-FDA Approved]
- 100200 mg/kg/24 hrs divided q6 hrs IM/IV; Max: 4 g q6 hrs
[Outline]
Renal Dose Adjustment (Base on CrCl)
- 10-50 mL/min: q6-12 hrs
- <10 mL/min: q12-24 hrs
Hepatic Dose Adjustment
- Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined
- Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy more likely to occur in individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity and/or a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens
- Detailed inquiry should be made regarding previous hypersensitivity responses to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other allergens
- Drug should be discontinued on occurrence of allergic reaction and appropriate therapy should be instituted
- Treatment with epinephrine and other emergency measures may be required in serious acute hypersensitivity reactions
- Prolonged use may result in fungal or bacterial superinfection, including C. difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) and pseudomembranous colitis; CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents
- Increased risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria may occur if ampicillin is prescribed in the absence of proven or strongly suspected infections or as a prophylactic indication
- A high percentage of patients with infectious mononucleosis have developed skin rash during therapy. Therefore, the administration of ampicillin is not recommended in patients with mononucleosis
- Periodic assessment of organ system function, including renal, hepatic, and hematopoietic, should be made during prolonged therapy
Cautions: Use cautiously in
Pregnancy Category:B
Breastfeeding: Safe; excreted in trace amounts in human milk.
US Trade Name(s)
US Availability
ampicillin sodium (generic)
- PWDR for INJ: 125 mg/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 250 mg/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 500 mg/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 1 g/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 2 g/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 10 g/vial
Canadian Trade Name(s)
Canadian Availability
ampicillin sodium (generic)
- PWDR for INJ: 250 mg/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 500 mg/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 1 g/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 2 g/vial
UK Trade Name(s)
UK Availability
ampicillin sodium (generic)
- PWDR for INJ: 500 mg/vial
Australian Trade Name(s)
Australian Availability
Austrapen, lbimicyn
- PWDR for INJ: 500 mg/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 1 g/vial
Ampicyn
[Outline]