Brand Names: Unasyn

Generic Name: ampicillin and sulbactam (Pronunciation: am pi SIL in and sul BAK tam)

• What is ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?
• What are the possible side effects of ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?
• What is the most important information I should know about ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?
• How should I use ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Unasyn)?
• What happens if I overdose (Unasyn)?
• What should I avoid while using ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?
• What other drugs will affect ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?

Ampicillin and sulbactam are antibiotics in the penicillin group of drugs. They fight bacteria in your body.

The combination of ampicillin and sulbactam is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

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

What are the possible side effects of ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?

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; or
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, gas;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• headache;
• itching;
• swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue;
• thrush (white patches or inside your mouth or throat); or
• pain, swelling, or other irritation where the needle is placed.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Unasyn (ampicillin and sulbactam) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ampicillin and sulbactam or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have asthma, kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, mononucleosis (also called "mono"), or a history of any type of allergy.

Ampicillin and sulbactam can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ampicillin and sulbactam will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.