SKU	56
Generic For	Omnipen
Strength	500 mg
Active Ingredient	Ampicillin

Product Description

Campicillin 500mg (Ampicillin) – Affordable Omnipen Alternative

Campicillin 500 mg capsule is a penicillin-class antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. Typical indications include nose, ear, and throat infections, pneumonia, gonorrhoea, bronchitis, gynaecological infections, endocarditis, enteric fever, septicaemia, and meningitis. The active ingredient of the medicine, Ampicillin, effectively treats a variety of bacterial infections by fighting and stopping the growth of many types of bacteria.

Precautions

Precautions with Ampicillin capsule

Campicillin 500 mg should not be administered to patients with a history of hypersensitivity to certain antibiotics (including penicillin, Ampicillin, and cephalosporins) or other ingredients in the medication.

Bacteriostatic medicines may interfere with the bactericidal action of Ampicillin. Probenecid reduces the renal secretion of the antibiotic medicine.

Concurrent usage of allopurinol during treatment with Ampicillin can increase the likelihood of allergic reactions. Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions may occur in patients receiving beta-lactam antibiotics. It has occurred in patients or oral penicillins. These reactions are more likely to develop in people with a history of beta-lactam hypersensitivity.

Caution should be exercised with patients with kidney insufficiency, and dose adjustment may be required. Care should be taken when treating syphilis. Antibiotic medicine should be avoided in patients with cytomegalovirus, glandular fever, acute and lymphatic leukaemia and HIV, as erythematous rashes are more common.

Caution should be exercised when high doses are used; kidney and liver health should be closely monitored during high-dose and prolonged treatment. Long-term use of an anti-infective may occasionally lead to the development of superinfection.

Pregnancy: When antibiotic treatment is needed, Campicillin may be considered appropriate.

Lactation: Traces of penicillin can be detected in breast milk during lactation. Adequate data on the use of Campicillin during lactation are not available.

Drug Interaction:

Antibacterials such as Ampicillin are reduced when taken concomitantly with chloroquine.
The excretion of methotrexate is reduced when it is used in combination with it.
Ampicillin may reduce the effectiveness of oral birth control, and patients should be warned of these effects.
When used along with medicines like probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, the excretion of penicillin is decreased, giving an increased risk of toxicity.
Absorption of the antibiotic is reduced when taken concomitantly with chloroquine.
The effectiveness of the oral typhoid vaccine may be reduced when Campicilin is coadministered.
Antibacterials such as chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and erythromycin may interfere with the action of Ampicillin.
Allopurinol increases the risk of Ampicillin-induced skin reactions.

Dosage Instructions

Side Effects

Side effects of Ampicillin capsule

Side effects of Campicillin 500 mg are rare and usually mild to moderate.

Occasionally, gastrointestinal disturbances, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, or haemorrhagic colitis may occur. Anaphylaxis and angioedema have occasionally occurred.
Joint pains, fever, and symptoms similar to those of sickness have been reported.
Nephropathy and nephritis may occur.
Hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice have rarely occurred.
Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and anaemia have been reported.
Gastrointestinal reactions, including diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea.
Skin rash, urticaria, and pruritus have occurred in clinical trials. The incidence is higher in those who have chronic leukaemia.

Seek medical help if any of these side effects persist or if your condition worsens.

How to Use

How to use an Ampicillin capsule?

Campicillin 500 mg is only for oral administration. It should not be taken on an empty stomach. The usual recommended dosage is 250 mg every 6 hours. All recommendations regarding the dosage below serve as a guide. For optimal results, it is recommended to use this product under the supervision of a healthcare provider. In case of severe infections, the dosages may be increased only under the supervision of a healthcare specialist

Method of administration:

Nose, ear, and throat infections: 250 mg is recommended four times a day.
Bronchitis: Routine treatment includes the recommended dose of 250 mg four times daily.
Urinary tract infections: The usual suggested dose is 500 mg three times daily
Pneumonia: The recommended dose is 500 mg four times daily.
Gastrointestinal infections: The usual suggested dose is 500 to 750 mg three to four times a day.
For children under 10 years old, the usual recommended dose is half of the adult routine dosage. In severe cases, the above dosage may be increased, or ampicillin antibiotics may be administered by injection. The oral doses of the medicine should be consumed half an hour before meals.

Infographics

FAQ

What is Campicillin 500mg used for?

Campicillin 500mg contains ampicillin at a higher strength, making it suitable for more serious or stubborn bacterial infections that need a stronger dose. It is used to treat respiratory infections (including pneumonia), urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, ear and sinus infections, and in some cases to prevent infection around certain medical procedures. The higher dose is often prescribed when a lower strength has not fully cleared the infection.

Who can take Campicillin 500mg, and who should avoid it?

Campicillin 500mg is prescribed for adults and older children who need a higher ampicillin dose. It should not be taken by anyone with a known allergy to penicillin or similar antibiotics. People with kidney disease may need a dose adjustment, as the kidneys clear ampicillin from the body. If you have glandular fever (mononucleosis), let your doctor know — ampicillin commonly causes a rash in people with this viral illness and is usually avoided in that situation.

What is the usual dose of Campicillin 500mg for adults?

The standard adult dose is one capsule (500mg) taken three to four times daily, approximately every 6–8 hours. For severe infections your doctor may increase this. As with all antibiotics, the full prescribed course must be completed — typically 5 to 14 days depending on the infection type. Always follow your doctor's instructions precisely, as under-dosing can lead to treatment failure and over-dosing can increase side effects.

Should Campicillin 500mg be taken with or without food?

Like the 250mg strength, Campicillin 500mg works best when taken on an empty stomach — at least 30 minutes before eating or 2 hours after a meal. Food reduces the absorption of ampicillin, so less of the antibiotic reaches your bloodstream. Take each capsule with a full glass of water. If you experience stomach discomfort, a small light snack can help, but try not to eat a full meal close to your dose.

Is Campicillin 500mg safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Ampicillin at the 500mg dose is considered relatively safe during pregnancy when the benefit outweighs any potential risk, and it is used in clinical settings quite frequently (for example, to treat UTIs in pregnancy). It passes into breast milk in very small amounts and is not considered harmful to nursing infants. Always tell your healthcare provider you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting any antibiotic so they can confirm the dose is appropriate.

Can I drink alcohol while taking Campicillin 500mg?

There is no major direct interaction between ampicillin and alcohol, but drinking alcohol when you are fighting a bacterial infection is not a good idea. Alcohol can slow your recovery, interfere with sleep and immune function, and may worsen some side effects like nausea or diarrhoea. For the best outcome, it is wise to avoid alcohol entirely during your treatment course and for a few days afterwards until you are fully recovered.

How does Campicillin 500mg differ from Campicillin 250mg?

The two products contain the same active ingredient — ampicillin — but at different strengths. The 500mg capsule delivers twice the dose per capsule compared to the 250mg version. Your doctor will prescribe the strength that matches the type and severity of your infection, your body weight, and your kidney function. Both strengths work the same way; the higher dose is simply used when a more powerful treatment is needed or when your doctor wants to ensure sufficient levels of the antibiotic in your body.

What happens if I miss a dose of Campicillin 500mg?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is very close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal schedule. Do not take two doses together. Missing doses can lower the concentration of ampicillin in your bloodstream, giving bacteria a chance to recover and become resistant. Setting phone reminders for each dose time can be a helpful way to stay on track throughout your course.

Can Campicillin 500mg cause a rash, and when is it serious?

Yes — ampicillin does cause a skin rash in some people, and this is one of its more commonly reported side effects. There are two types of rash to be aware of. A mild, flat, non-itchy rash a few days into treatment is often not a true allergy but a sensitivity reaction, especially in people with glandular fever. However, a raised, itchy, hive-like rash (particularly if accompanied by swelling or breathing difficulty) can be a genuine allergic reaction and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor about any rash promptly.

Does Campicillin 500mg interact with any other medicines?

Ampicillin can interact with several medications. It may reduce the effectiveness of certain oral contraceptive pills (the birth control pill) — additional contraception may be recommended during treatment. Blood-thinning medicines like warfarin may be affected. Methotrexate (used for arthritis or cancer) can build up to higher-than-normal levels in the body when taken alongside ampicillin. Always share a full list of all medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this antibiotic.

What are the common side effects of ampicillin?

Common side effects of ampicillin include nausea, vomiting, loose stools or diarrhoea, and stomach discomfort. A skin rash is also relatively common, particularly in people who have glandular fever (a viral illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus). Some people develop oral thrush (a white coating in the mouth) or a vaginal yeast infection because antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in the body. These side effects are usually mild and short-lived.

What side effects of ampicillin are serious and need prompt attention?

Stop taking ampicillin and seek urgent care if you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction — such as a sudden widespread rash, swelling of the lips, face, or throat, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Severe or bloody diarrhoea during or after a course of antibiotics may indicate a gut infection called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) and needs prompt medical assessment. Yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe skin blistering, or signs of kidney problems (reduced urine output, swelling in the legs) also warrant immediate attention.