What is Unasyn (Ampicillin Sulbactam)?

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 is the most important information I should know about Unasyn (Ampicillin Sulbactam)?

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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Unasyn (Ampicillin Sulbactam)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ampicillin and sulbactam or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:

• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox)
• carbenicillin (Geocillin)
• dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen)
• oxacillin (Bactocill); or
• 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 any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others), or if you have:

• kidney disease
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
• mononucleosis (also called “mono”)
• a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or
• a history of any type of allergy

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
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.
Ampicillin and sulbactam can pass into bre
ast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Unasyn Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Unasyn (Ampicillin Sulbactam)?

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.

Unasyn Interactions

What other drugs affect Unasyn (Ampicillin Sulbactam)?

Before using ampicillin and sulbactam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• allopurinol (Zyloprim)
• probenecid (Benemid); or
• an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ampicillin and sulbactam. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Unasyn (Ampicillin Sulbactam)?

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.

Unasyn Dosage

How should I take Unasyn (Ampicillin Sulbactam)?

Ampicillin and sulbactam is given as an injection into a muscle or through an IV needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. When it is given as an IV injection, this medicine must be given slowly, and can take up to 30 minutes to complete.
You may be shown how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used in giving the medicine.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using ampicillin and sulbactam.
Store ampicillin and sulbactam at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I overdose on Unasyn (Ampicillin Sulbactam)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include confusion, behavior changes, a severe skin rash, urinating less than usual, or seizure (black-out or convulsions).

What happens if I miss a dose of Unasyn (Ampicillin Sulbactam)?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com