(5) Prolonged use of an antibiotic may promote a superinfection due to
nonsusceptible organisms including fungi.
d. Adverse Reactions.
(1) All degrees of hypersensitivity to include fatal anaphylaxis have been
reported with oral penicillin. The incidence is much less frequent than with injected
forms.
(2) Other common reactions reported include nausea, vomiting, epigastric
distress, diarrhea, and black hairy tongue.
e. Supply.
(1) Potassium phenoxymethyl penicillin for oral solution. This is in the form
of granules or powder and is reconstituted to make an oral solution containing 400,000
units/5 ml.
(2) Potassium phenoxymethyl penicillin tablets. Tablets are available in
400,000- and 800,000-unit sizes.
5-18. AMPICILLIN
a. Indications. Ampicillin (Omnipen) is a broad-spectrum, semi- synthetic
derivative of penicillin. A special feature of ampicillin is its effectiveness against many
gram-negative bacteria, as well as against most of the gram-positive bacteria affected
by penicillin G and penicillin V. It can be used in conditions caused by the following
organisms:
(1)
Shigella.
(2)
Salmonella (including S. typhi).
(3)
Haemophilus influenzae.
(4)
E. coli.
(5)
Proteus mirabilis.
(6)
Neisseria meningitidis.
(7)
Streptococci.
(8)
Diplococcus pneumoniae.
(9)
Nonpenicillinase-producing staphylococci.
MD0913
5-19