Ampicillin (Penbritin)

Ampicillin is a form of penicillin which is approved for the treatment of urinary tract infections, ear infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, Salmonella  and gonorrhoea.

Its side-effects can include nausea, diarrhoea and rashes. Rashes seem to be more likely in people with HIV than in uninfected people. Ampicillin should not be used by people who are allergic to penicillin.

Ampicillin is usually taken in tablet form, although an intravenous infusion is also available for severe infections. The tablets should be taken at least half an hour before food. There is some evidence that taking ampicillin can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.