Skip to main content
Ampicillin

Ampicillin Side Effects

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCPAllison Gourley, PharmD
Reviewed by Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on April 29, 2024

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Less Common Side Effects

  • Sore mouth or tongue

Ampicillin serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Serious allergic and skin reactions: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, blisters, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
  • Infectious diarrhea: rapid heart rate, foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day)
Avg retail price
$9.99(Save 0.00%)
GoodRx discount
$9.99
How it works
drug-savings-illustration-1Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.
drug-savings-illustration-2GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.
drug-savings-illustration-3Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.
When do Ampicillin possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Rash

Source: DailyMed

The following Ampicillin side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:

Less common

Fast or irregular breathing

fever

joint pain

lightheadedness or fainting (sudden)

puffiness or swelling around the face

red, scaly skin

shortness of breath

skin rash, hives, itching

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Abdominal or stomach cramps and pain (severe)

abdominal tenderness

convulsions (seizures)

decreased amount of urine

diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody

mental depression

nausea and vomiting

pain at place of injection

sore throat and fever

unusual bleeding or bruising

yellow eyes or skin

Rare

For penicillin G procaine only

Agitation or combativeness

anxiety

confusion

fear of impending death

feeling, hearing, or seeing things that are not real

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Diarrhea (mild)

headache

sore mouth or tongue

vaginal itching and discharge

white patches in the mouth and/or on the tongue

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

GoodRx icon

Other Penicillin Antibiotics side effects articles

why trust our exports reliability shield

Why trust our experts?

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, started his full-time career as a clinical pharmacist at UCLA Health in the general medicine, general cardiology, and ICU units after completing residency in 2016. He also was the preceptor for the general medicine rotation from 2017 to 2021, which was a required rotation for all pharmacy residents.
Allison Gourley, PharmD, is a kidney and pancreas transplant pharmacist at a teaching hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she’s not educating patients about their immunosuppressants, she's actively involved in transplant research.

Was this page helpful?