Ampicare 250 mg Hard Capsules

Ampicillin

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: capsule, hard. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Ampicillin.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Ampicare 250 mg Hard Capsules need a prescription?
Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Ampicare 250 mg Hard Capsules for?
Dogs.1
What is the active substance in Ampicare 250 mg Hard Capsules?
Ampicillin. ATCvet code: QJ01CA01.13
What is the withdrawal period of Ampicare 250 mg Hard Capsules according to the leaflet?
No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
Dispensing
Prescription only1

POM-V: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian. Supplied only on a prescription written by a veterinary surgeon who has assessed the animal.12

Supplied only on a veterinarian's prescription. As stated in the registration decision.

Animal species
Dogs1
Active substance
Ampicillin
ATCvet code
QJ01CA013
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Bimeda Animal Health Limited

Withdrawal period

No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3

Summary of product characteristics

Composition

Active Ingredientmg per capsule
Ampicillin (as ampicillin trihydrate)250

Capsule Body

Erythrosine (E127) 0.952

Quinoline Yellow (E104) 0.004

Patent Blue V (E131) 0.002

Titanium Dioxide (E171) 0.368

Capsule cap

Ferric Oxide black (E172) 0.146

Titanium Dioxide (E171) 0.488

Ink:

Black Iron Oxide (E172)

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

6.1 List of excipients

Magnesium stearate

Capsule Body:

Erythrosin (E127)

Quinoline Yellow (E104)

Patent Blue V (E131)

Titanium dioxide (E171)

Gelatin

Purified water

Capsule Cap:

Ferric Oxide Red (E172)

Titanium dioxide (E171)

Gelatin

Purified water

Ink:

Black Iron Oxide (E172)

Shellac

Dehydrated Alcohol

Isopropyl Alcohol

N-Butyl Alcohol

Propylene Glycol

Strong Ammonia Solution

Potassium Hydroxide

Industrial Methylated Spirit

Purified Water

3

Pharmaceutical form

Capsule, hard.

Red and grey coloured hard gelatine capsule with the logo, AMP 250, in black ink.

3

Pharmacological properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antibacterials for systemic use, beta-lactam antibacterials, penicillins, penicillins with extended spectrum

ACTVet code: QJ01CA01

The product contains ampicillin (as the trihydrate) 250 mg per capsule.

It is recommended for the treatment and control of diseases in dogs caused by or associated with bacterial pathogens sensitive to ampicillin.

Ampicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic of the penicillin group, which is in turn a member of the beta-lactam group. It is well absorbed after oral administration but bioavailability is reduced by food in the stomach.

The mode of action of beta-lactams involves interference with cell wall synthesis and are therefore more effective when the cell wall is growing. At high dose levels the penicillins have additional bactericidal effects within the bacterial cell and may affect dormant bacteria.

Ampicillin is bactericidal against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens found in dogs including the following, provided that they are sensitive to ampicillin:

Streptococcus spp., Pasturella haemolytica, P. multocida, Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogenic staphylococci (non β lactamase producing).

3

Target species

Dogs.

3

Indications

Indicated in the treatment and control of diseases caused by or associated with bacterial pathogens sensitive to ampicillin. These include the following groups of pathogens:

Streptococcus spp., Pasturella haemolitica, P. multocida, Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogenic staphylococci.

When susceptible organisms are present treatment may be effective in the following indications:

alimentary tract infections

respiratory infections

urinary tract infections

3

Dosage

Recommended dose: 10 - 20 mg/kg twice daily.

The higher dose levels are advised when treating infections due to Gram-negative bacteria and in cases involving young animals. Therapy should be repeated every 12 hours and continued for a maximum of 5 days. In severe or acute conditions, the dose levels may be increased.

To be given by the oral route only. The capsules should be administered on an empty stomach.

3

Contraindications

Not to be administered to animals known to be sensitive to penicillin. Not to be administered to small herbivores.

Do not treat dogs of less than 10 kg bodyweight.

3

Adverse reactions

None known.

3

Warnings

i. Special precautions for use in animals

For oral administration only.

ii. Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

Penicillins and cephalosporins may cause hypersensitivity (allergy) following injection, inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. Hypersensitivity to penicillins may lead to cross reactions to cephalosporins and vice versa. Allergic reactions to these substances may occasionally be serious.

1. Do not handle this product if you know you are sensitised, or if you have been advised not to work with such preparations.

2. Handle this product with great care to avoid exposure, taking all recommended precautions.

3. If you develop symptoms following exposure such as a skin rash, you should seek medical advice and show the doctor this warning. Swelling of the face, lips or eyes or difficulty with breathing are more serious symptoms and require urgent medical attention.

Wash hands after use.

3

Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

No studies have been carried out on pregnant animals, but the evidence provided suggests that ampicillin does not present any particular hazard either to the dam or foetus.

3

Interactions

Ampicillin is unlikely to interact significantly with any other drugs commonly administered to dogs. It is not recommended to administer bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics concomitantly.

3

Overdose

The safety of ampicillin is typical of that of other penicillins in that intrinsic toxicity is very low, except in animals with specific allergy to the beta-lactams.

3

Special warnings

As with all penicillins, the product may cause hypersensitivity (allergy) following ingestion. It should not be used when the dog is known to be allergic to penicillins.

As with all other penicillins, bacterial resistance to ampicillin may occur. Thus antibiotic sensitivity testing should be considered if a clinical condition fails to respond to treatment within 3 to 5 days.

3

Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

3

Incompatibilities

None known.

3

Immediate packaging

Polypropylene securitainer with low density polyethylene cap.

Pack sizes of 100, 250 and 500 capsules per container.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

3

Storage

Do not store above 25°C. Store in a dry place.

3

Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 Years.

3

Disposal of unused product

Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

3

Additional information

Vm 50146/4035

9 DATE OF THE FIRST AUTHORISATION

24 March 2000

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

October 2018

Approved: 26 October 2018

3

Registration holder

Bimeda Animal Health Limited

2 / 3 / 4 Airton Close

Tallaght

Dublin 24

Ireland

3

Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Ampicare 250 mg Hard Capsules, 50146/4035 UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (OGL v3.0), checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  2. The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3 (categories of veterinary medicinal products) UK Government, legislation.gov.uk, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  3. Summary of Product Characteristics: Ampicare 250 mg Hard Capsules UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

The same active substance in other countries

These are different medicines with different authorisations. The dispensing status is the one on each product's own page, which gives its basis. The leaflet of the product in hand applies.

Poland