Drug interactions
Ampicillin + Colestipol
Severity: Minor
Ampicillin and Colestipol: 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
Colestipol is a bile acid sequestrant that can bind other oral drugs in the gut and reduce their absorption. Oral ampicillin may therefore reach lower blood levels if taken at the same time, possibly reducing efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ampicillin and Colestipol 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; Colestipol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Binding of oral ampicillin in the gastrointestinal tract by colestipol, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give oral ampicillin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after colestipol. Intravenous ampicillin is not affected.
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 Colestipol
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Colestipol Moderate
- Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Colestipol Moderate
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Colestipol Moderate
- Azilsartan-chlorthalidone + Colestipol Moderate
- Candesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Colestipol Moderate
- Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide + Colestipol Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ampicillin with Colestipol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Ampicillin and Colestipol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Colestipol is a bile acid sequestrant that can bind other oral drugs in the gut and reduce their absorption. Oral ampicillin may therefore reach lower blood levels if taken at the same time, possibly reducing efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Ampicillin and Colestipol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give oral ampicillin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after colestipol. Intravenous ampicillin is not affected.
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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