Principen (Ampicillin) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Principen

Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) »

What is mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse (also known as "click murmur syndrome" and "Barlow's syndrome") is the most common heart valve abnormality, affecting five to ten percent of the world population. A normal mitral valve consists of two thin leaflets, located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. Mitral valve leaflets, shaped like parachutes, are attached to the inner wall of the left ventricle by a series of strings called "chordae." When the ventricles contract, the mitral valve leaflets close snugly and prevent the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium. When the ventricles relax, the valves open to allow oxygenated blood from the lungs to fill the left ventricle.

In patients with mitral valve prolapse, the mitral apparatus (valve leaflets and chordae) becomes affected by a process called myxomatous degeneration. In myxomatous degeneration, the structural protein collagen forms abnormally and caus...

Read the Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) article »

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Principen

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Principen Capsules
(ampicillin) Capsules, USP 250mg and 500mg
Principen for Oral Suspension
(ampicillin) for Oral Suspension, USP 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Ampicillin trihydrate is a semisynthetic penicillin derived from the basic penicillin nucleus, 6-aminopenicillanic acid. Ampicillin is designated chemically as (2S, 5R, 6R)-6-[(8)-2-Amino-2-phenylacetamido]-3,3-dimethyl-t-oxo-4-thia-1- azabicyclo[3.2.0] heptane-2-carboxylic acid. The chemical formula is C₁₆H₁₉N₃O₄S·3H₂O and its molecular weight is 403.45.

This is the anhydrous form of ampicillin. It is prepared as the trihydrate form attached to 3 water (H2O) molecules.

PRINCIPEN Capsules (Ampicillin Capsules USP) for oral administration provide ampicillin trihydrate equivalent to 250 mg and 500 mg ampicillin.

Inactive ingredients: black iron oxide, gelatin, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #3, FD&C Red #40, lactose monohydrate, silica gel, and titanium dioxide.

PRINCIPEN for Oral Suspension (Ampicillin for oral suspension USP) provide, after constitution, ampicillin trihydrate equivalent to 125 mg and 250 mg ampicillin per 5 mL.

Inactive ingredients: antifoam AF emulsion, Atmos 300, colloidal silicon dioxide, FD&C Red #40, lecithin, natural and artificial flavors, sucrose, sodium citrate, sodium benzoate, and vanillin.

What are the possible side effects of ampicillin (Principen)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
urinating less than usual or not at...

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What are the precautions when taking ampicillin (Principen)?

Before taking ampicillin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, a certain type of viral infection (infectious mononucleosis).

Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be more sensitive to this drug.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Ampicillin...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 1/29/2005
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.