Rashes associated with intravenous administration of ampicillin

Abstract

532 patients under intravenous Ampicillin therapy have been included in the trial to evaluate the eventual onset of rashes. These patients have been divided into two groups: the first group comprised of patients affected with acute or chronic liver diseases, the second one with diseases of bacterial etiology. In the first group Ampicillin has been utilized either for its antiammoniaemic activity or to treat urinary or respiratory tract infections of bacterial origin. Ampicillin has been administered intravenously at the dosage of 1-6 g daily. Only 18 patients (3.4%) out of 532 under examination have shown skin reaction during treatment. It is suggestive that the low incidence of Ampicillin rashes observed is due to the way of administration of the drug.