Drug interactions
Ampicillin + Atenolol
Severity: Minor
Ampicillin and Atenolol: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Oral ampicillin has been reported to lower atenolol absorption and reduce its beta-blocking effect. The change is modest and probably of limited importance in most patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ampicillin and Atenolol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Ampicillin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Atenolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Reduced gastrointestinal absorption of atenolol, mechanism not fully established.
What to do
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure when oral ampicillin is started or stopped; separating doses by a few hours is a reasonable precaution.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Ampicillin
- Allopurinol + Ampicillin Moderate
- Ampicillin + Bcg vaccine live Moderate
- Ampicillin + Chloramphenicol Moderate
- Ampicillin + Chloroquine Moderate
- Ampicillin + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Ampicillin + Demeclocycline Moderate
Other interactions of Atenolol
- Amifostine + Atenolol Major
- Amiodarone + Atenolol Major
- Atenolol + Atenolol-chlorthalidone Major
- Atenolol + Betaxolol Major
- Atenolol + Bisoprolol Major
- Atenolol + Carvedilol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ampicillin with Atenolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Ampicillin and Atenolol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Oral ampicillin has been reported to lower atenolol absorption and reduce its beta-blocking effect. The change is modest and probably of limited importance in most patients.
How serious is the interaction between Ampicillin and Atenolol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor heart rate and blood pressure when oral ampicillin is started or stopped; separating doses by a few hours is a reasonable precaution.
What other medicines interact with Ampicillin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ampicillin with, for example, Allopurinol, Bcg vaccine live, Chloramphenicol. The full list is on the Ampicillin page.
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