Ampicillin is a penicillin-like antibiotic prescribed for the treatment of such conditions as urinary tract infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, as well as infections of the ears, lungs and skin. If you have any allergies, asthma, blood disease, hay fever, kidney or liver disease, stomach problems or colitis make sure your health care provider knows about it. Unless otherwise recommended by your doctor you are supposed to take this medicine an hour before or two hours after you have a meal. Mild skin rash, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach are the most commonly reported side effects. These symptoms tend to be mild and go away soon without the need for additional treatment.

More serious side effects include vaginal infection, wheezing, hives, trouble breathing, severe skin rash and itching. Keep this drug out of the reach of children and other people to whom it was not prescribed. Take the entire amount of the medicine prescribed by your health care provider as a relapse of infection can occur. If you think you have taken too much of this medicine seek emergency medical assistance and make sure you tell the emergency room staff which medicine you were taking before it happened.