Ampicillin is a penicillin antibiotic indicated for Gram-positive bacterial infections and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria.
Ampicillin comes in several forms--ampicillin tryhydrate, ampicillin sodium, and ampicillin/sulbactam.
- Ampicillin trihydrate: Ampicillin trihydrate is the trihydrate form of ampicillin. It can be administered orally (PO), added to drinking water for the flock, or administered via intramuscular injection (IM).
- Ampicillin sodium: Ampicillin sodium is the sodium salt form of ampicillin. It can be given orally (PO), added to the drinking water for the flock, or administered via intramuscular injection (IM).
- Ampicillin/sulbactam: Ampicillin/sulbactam is a combination of ampicillin and sulbactam, an inhibitor of bacterial beta-lactamase. The addition of sulbactam to ampicillin enhances the effects of ampicillin. Ampicillin/sulbactam has poor absorption when given orally (PO), and needs to be administered via intramuscular injection (IM) or intravenously (IV) to be effective.
Storage/Stability: Ampicillin capsules and powder for oral suspension should be stored at room temperature (15-30°C). After reconstitution, the oral suspension is stable for 14 days if refrigerated (2-8°C) and is stable for 7 days when kept at room temperature. Ampicillin trihydrate for injection (Polyflex® ) is stable for 12 months if refrigerated (2-8°C) and is stable for 3 months when kept at room temperature.
