Ampicillin Sulbactam

Ampicillin and sulbactam are penicillin antibiotics that fight bacteria.

Ampicillin and sulbactam is a combination medicine used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

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

You should not use ampicillin and sulbactam if you are allergic to any type of penicillin antibiotic.

You should not use ampicillin and sulbactam if you are allergic to any type of penicillin antibiotic, or if you have:

• a history of liver problems (hepatitis or jaundice) while using ampicillin and sulbactam.

To make sure ampicillin and sulbactam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• mononucleosis (also called "mono");
• kidney disease;
• an allergy to a cephalosporin antibiotic such Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and many others; or
• any other allergies.

Ampicillin and sulbactam is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Ampicillin and sulbactam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking ampicillin and sulbactam and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Other drugs may interact with ampicillin and sulbactam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Dosage Forms & Strengths

powder for solution

• 1.5g (ampicillin 1g/sulbactam 0.5g)
• 3g (ampicillin 2g/sulbactam 1g)
• 15g (ampicillin 10g/sulbactam 5g)

Gynecologic Infections

1.5 g (1 g ampicillin + 0.5 g sulbactam) to 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV/IM q6hr; not to exceed 12 g/day

Intra-Abdominal Infections

1.5 g (1 g ampicillin + 0.5 g sulbactam) to 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV/IM q6hr; not to exceed 12 g/day

Skin & Skin Structure Infections

1.5 g (1 g ampicillin + 0.5 g sulbactam) to 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV/IM q6hr; not to exceed 12 g/day

Orbital Cellulitis

3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV q6hr

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV q6hr

Pneumonia

Aspiration or community acquired: 1.5 g (1 g ampicillin + 0.5 g sulbactam) to 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV q6hr for 5 or more days

Hospital acquired: 3 g IV q6hr for 5 or more days

Urinary Tract Infections

Pyelonephritis: 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV q6hr for 14 days

Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis (Off-label)

Severe infection requiring hospitalization

1.5 g (1 g ampicillin + 0.5 g sulbactam) to 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV q6hr for 5-7 days

Endocarditis (Off-label)

Enterococcus infection resistant to penicillin/susceptible to aminoglycosides: 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV q6hr for 6 weeks if not aminoglycoside resistant; >6 weeks if aminoglycoside resistant

HACEK infection: 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV q6hr for 4 weeks

Dosing Modifications

Renal impairment

• CrCl 5-14 mL/min/1.73 m²: 1.5 g (1 g ampicillin + 0.5 g sulbactam) to 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV q24hr
• CrCl 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m²: 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) IV q12hr
• CrCl ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m²: No dose adjustment necessary

Dosage Forms & Strengths

powder for solution

• 1.5g (ampicillin 1g/sulbactam 0.5g)
• 3g (ampicillin 2g/sulbactam 1g) 
• 15g (ampicillin 10g/sulbactam 5g)

Skin Infections

>1 year (<40 kg): 200 mg/kg/day IV divided q6hr; not to exceed 14 days of therapy 

>1 year (>40 kg): 1.5 g (1 g ampicillin + 0.5 g sulbactam) to 3 g (2 g ampicillin + 1 g sulbactam) q6hr; not to exceed 12 g/day

Epiglottitis

Children and adolescents: 100-200 mg ampicillin/kg/day IV divided q6hr 

Mild/Moderate Infection

>1 month-1 year: 100-150 mg ampicillin/kg/day IV/IM divided q6hr 

>1 year: 100-200 mg ampicillin/kg/day IV/IM divided q6hr

Meningitis/Severe Infections

>1 month-1 year: 200-300 mg ampicillin/kg/day IV/IM divided q6hr 

>1 year: 200-400 mg ampicillin/kg/day IV/IM divided q6hr

Peritonsillar and Retropharyngeal Abscess

Children and adolescents: 200 mg ampicillin/kg/day IV divided q6hr