Drug: Ampicillin

Ampicillin Pill
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Ampicillin is an antibiotic which is used to treat bacterial infections. It belongs to the penicillin group of beta-lactam antibiotics. Until it was introduced by the British company Beecham, penicillin was used to penetrate Gram positive organisms like staphylococci and streptococci. This drug can penetrate both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Presence of an amino acid makes it different from penicillin. It belongs to the family of aminopenicillin. It is more or less similar to its successor amoxicillin in level of activity and field.

Ampicillin works as an inhibitor of transpeptidase which is an enzyme which is needed by bacteria in order to make their cell walls. It inhibits the third stage of cell wall formation in bacteria which leads to cell lysis. In this way it not only blocks the growth of bacteria but it also blocks the growth of chloroplasts. But however it does not have any effect on plastids of some higher developed plant.

Ampicillin is used mainly to treat urinary tract infection, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria meningitis and salmonellosis. It is also used to treat cellulites in combination with flucloxacillin. The enzyme called beta-lactamase is responsible for the degraded performance of this drug.

Almost all drugs cause some kind of side effects. In some drugs the side effect can be major while in case of others it can be minor. The side effects also vary from man to man. It may also cause side effects and in some cases severe. The side effects may include severe allergic reactions like rash, itching, breathing problems, swelling of different body parts. It may also cause fever, chills, bloody stools, diarrhea, stomach pain, muscle pain, tiredness and weakness. There may be many other sorts of side effects. In case of any side effects you should immediately stop taking the drug and consult your doctor.

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