A-Pen
A-Pen is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections that are sensitive to ampicillin, and it is usually given in hospitals.
Form
injektio-/infuusiokuiva-aine liuosta varten
Strength
500 mg
Active Ingredient
Ampicillin sodium
Manufacturer
Orion Corporation
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, the usual dose is 500 mg of ampicillin four times a day. For severe infections, 10-14 g per day as an infusion into a vein, divided into 6-8 doses. For children, the dose depends on their weight, typically 50-100 mg/kg per day divided into four doses.
Method
A-Pen is given as an injection into a muscle or vein, or as an infusion into a vein, typically in a hospital setting.
Important
For severe infections, adults may receive up to 14 grams per day. For children with severe infections, up to 300 mg/kg per day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, gas, soft stools
- •Yeast infection in the mouth and vagina
- •Skin rash, bumpy rash, itching, exanthema, swelling
- •Swelling and pain at the injection site
- •Local vein inflammation after medicine administration
RARE
- •Infections caused by fungi or resistant bacteria (especially with long-term or repeated use)
- •Anemia, changes in blood counts
- •Low red blood cell count (hemolytic anemia)
- •Increased liver enzyme levels
- •Hives
- •Acute kidney inflammation
- •Allergic reaction with skin symptoms, breathing difficulties, or circulation collapse (low blood pressure, pale skin, cold sweat, shock), and other allergic reactions like drug fever, swelling of the throat, skin vasculitis, kidney inflammation (allergic nephritis)
- •Fever and swollen lymph nodes (serum sickness)
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
- •Sudden, short, involuntary muscle twitching (myoclonus) and seizures (with kidney failure or very high intravenous doses)
- •Liver damage
- •Colon inflammation (colitis)
- •Severe allergic skin reactions, such as widespread rash with small pus-filled blisters (exfoliative dermatitis), or ring-shaped rash with blisters (erythema multiforme)
- •Kidney damage
- •Life-threatening anaphylactic shock
- •Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, rash)
- •Severe allergic skin reactions like a life-threatening illness with skin blistering (Lyell's syndrome), or widespread rash with blisters and skin peeling, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- •Low blood cell count (pancytopenia)
- •Prolonged bleeding and clotting time
- •Acute kidney failure
- •Crystals in urine (especially with very high intravenous doses)
- •Black hairy tongue
- •Joint pain
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to ampicillin, other penicillins, or any other ingredients, and tell your doctor if you have had a severe allergic reaction to other antibiotics (like cephalosporins).
- Do not use if you have had jaundice or liver failure caused by ampicillin, and tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
- Do not use if you have mononucleosis (glandular fever) or other lymphatic diseases, or if you suspect a cytomegalovirus infection.
- If you experience severe, bloody, or long-lasting diarrhea, stop using A-Pen and contact your doctor immediately, as this could be a sign of bowel inflammation.
- If you are treated for syphilis or Lyme disease, and you get a fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, or rash, tell your doctor or nurse as this might be a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.
Show 1 more warnings
- High levels of ampicillin in urine can cause incorrect results in urine glucose tests.