Drug interactions
Ampicillin-sulbactam + Chloramphenicol
Severity: Moderate
Ampicillin-sulbactam and Chloramphenicol: moderate 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
Chloramphenicol is bacteriostatic and may reduce the killing activity of beta-lactams in vitro. Clinical significance is uncertain, but it may matter in severe infections such as meningitis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ampicillin-sulbactam and Chloramphenicol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Ampicillin-sulbactam belongs to Anti Bacterial; Chloramphenicol belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism, as inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis may reduce the cell-wall-dependent bactericidal effect of the beta-lactam.
What to do
Avoid combining them in serious infections where bactericidal activity is essential, and choose a single appropriate agent where possible. If used together, monitor clinical and microbiological response.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Ampicillin-sulbactam
Other interactions of Chloramphenicol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ampicillin-sulbactam with Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ampicillin-sulbactam and Chloramphenicol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Chloramphenicol is bacteriostatic and may reduce the killing activity of beta-lactams in vitro. Clinical significance is uncertain, but it may matter in severe infections such as meningitis.
How serious is the interaction between Ampicillin-sulbactam and Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining them in serious infections where bactericidal activity is essential, and choose a single appropriate agent where possible. If used together, monitor clinical and microbiological response.
What other medicines interact with Ampicillin-sulbactam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ampicillin-sulbactam with, for example, Methotrexate, Allopurinol, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Ampicillin-sulbactam page.
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