Alternate Name(s):
PENBRITIN®, AMPICIN®
Classification:
Antibiotic
Original Date:
August 2005
Revised Date:
June 2026
Indications:
- Semisynthetic penicillin for the treatment of infections due to susceptible bacteria
Reconstitution and Stability:
| VIAL SIZE | STERILE WATER FOR INJECTION REQUIRED | FINAL CONCENTRATION |
| 500 mg | 4 mL | 125 mg/mL |
| 1000 mg | 7.4 mL | 125 mg/mL |
- Powder is stable at room temperature
- Reconstituted solution stable 1 hour at room temperature or 4 hours refrigerated
- Solutions diluted in D5W stable for 1 hour only
Compatibility:
- Solutions Compatible: 0.9% NaCl, ringer's solution, D5W (but only for 1 hour)
- Additives/Above Cassette Compatible : no information
- Y-site Compatible: potassium chloride (up to 40 mmol/L), morphine
Incompatible: TPN, Do not mix with aminoglycosides. Flush line well between administration of beta-lactams and aminoglycosides
Administration:
(For approved routes of administration by nursing personnel, refer to Policy for the Administration of Intravenous Medications.)
| SC | NO |
| IM | YES, deeply into large muscle Usual dilution: <250 mg/mL |
| IV Direct |
Yes, into large vessel Usual dilution: 125 mg/mL
Infusion rate: Patient less than or equal to 10 kg: do not exceed 10 mg/kg/minute Patient greater than 10 kg: Do not exceed 100 mg/minute |
| IV Intermittent Infusion |
Yes Usual dilution: 125 mg/mL Infusion time: 15-30 minutes
Infusion rate: Patient less than or equal to 10 kg: do not exceed 10 mg/kg/minute Patient greater than 10 kg: Do not exceed 100 mg/minute |
| IV Continuous Infusion | NO |
Dosage:
(For neonatal dosages, refer to Neonatal IV Drug Manual.)
Pediatric:
- Usual: 200 mg/kg/day IV divided every 6 hours (Maximum: 8 g/day)
- Meningitis: 300-400 mg/kg/day IV divided every 4 hours (Maximum: 12 g/day)
Potential hazards of parenteral administration:
- Hypersensitivity reactions - immediate and delayed
- Too rapid IV can produce convulsions or muscular irritability; maximum rate 10 mg/kg/min to a max of 100 mg/minute
- Possibility of severe pain at injection site
- Rash, pruritis, urticaria, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Notes:
- With prolonged therapy, monitor renal, hepatic and hematologic function periodically
- Hyperuricemia or allopurinol may potentiate ampicillin rash
- Caution in patients allergic to penicillin or cephalosporins (may be cross-sensitive)
- Contains 3.1 mmol sodium/g of ampicillin
- False positive urinary glucose for Clinitest, Fehling, and Benedicts solution