Ampicillin

Trade name

Ampicyn, Austrapen, Ibimicyn

Presentation and preparation

For IV administration:

Vial size (powder volume)	Fluid to add	Volume to add	Resulting concentration
500 mg (0.3 mL)	Water for injections	4.7 mL	100 mg/mL
1 g (0.7 mL)	Water for injections	9.3 mL	100 mg/mL

Reconstitute to 100 mg/mL for IV administration.

For IM administration:

Vial size (powder volume)	Fluid to add	Volume to add	Resulting concentration
500 mg (0.3 mL)	Water for injections	1.7 mL	250 mg/mL
1 g (0.7 mL)	Water for injections	3.3 mL	250 mg/mL

Reconstitute to 250 mg/mL for IM administration.

IV administration

Doses equal to or less than 50 mg/kg and equal to or less than 500 mg: give undiluted over at least 3 minutes.

Doses greater than 50 mg/kg or greater than 500 mg: dilute to 30 mg/mL or weaker and give over 30 minutes.

Other routes of administration

IM: Suitable. Give reconstituted solution undiluted, by deep IM injection into a large muscle.

SC: Not recommended.

Compatible IV fluids

Infusions should be used immediately after preparation.

Ampicillin 30 mg/mL or weaker:

Sodium chloride 0.9%

Hartmann's

Y-site only:

Glucose 5%

Glucose 5% and sodium chloride 0.9%

Glucose 5% and sodium chloride 0.45%

Glucose 10%

Hartman's

Sodium chloride 0.9%

Potassium chloride 20 mmol/L

Additional information

IV aminoglycoside antibiotics are inactivated by IV cephalosporins, penicillins and teicoplanin; refer to Glossary and Notes. 

Observe closely for anaphylactic reactions.

Rapid IV infusion may cause CNS toxicity including seizures.

Use immediately after reconstitution.

Discard any unused vial contents.

Protect from light during storage.