Can Ampicillin Prevent Unwanted Pregnancy

Ampicillin is a broad-spectrum, semi-synthetic, beta-lactam penicillin antibiotic with bactericidal activity. It is used to prevent and treat a number of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, meningitis, salmonellosis, and endocarditis. It may also be used to prevent group B streptococcal infection in newborns. It is used by mouth, by injection into a muscle, or intravenously.

Pregnant woman

Does Ampicillin Prevent Pregnancy

Ampicillin does not prevent pregnancy. Ampicillin can make birth control pills less effective. It can even make you pregnant when used with birth control pills. It is just an antibiotic that has no effect on fertility. And there is nothing like flushing out sperm.

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Ampicillin binds to and inactivates penicillin-binding proteins (PBP) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell wall. Inactivation of PBPs interferes with the cross-linkage of peptidoglycan chains necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity. This interrupts bacterial cell wall synthesis and results in the weakening of the bacterial cell wall and causes cell lysis.

Ampicillin is stable against hydrolysis by a variety of beta-lactamases, therefore, can be used in a wide range of gram-positive and -negative infections.

Common side effects include rash, nausea, and diarrhea. It should not be used in people who are allergic to penicillin. Serious side effects may include Clostridium difficile colitis or anaphylaxis. While usable in those with kidney problems, the dose may need to be decreased.

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Ampicillin And Pregnancy

Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of fetal harm/teratogenicity. This drug crosses the placenta into fetal circulation. There is no controlled data in human pregnancy; however, this drug has been in clinical use for many years and its use in human pregnancy has shown no evidence of harmful effect. Most retrospective data available indicate that this drug is not likely to be a human teratogen.