Sultacillin Special Precautions

Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients on penicillin therapy including Ampicillin sodium/Sulbactam sodium IM/IV. These reactions are more apt to occur in individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity who have experienced severe reactions when treated with cephalosporins. Before therapy with the penicillin, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, cephalosporins and other allergens. If an allergic reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued and the appropriate therapy instituted. Serious anaphylactic reactions require immediate emergency treatment with epinephrine. Oxygen, intravenous steroids and airway management, including intubation, should be administered as indicated.
As with any antibiotic preparation, constant observation for signs of overgrowth of nonsusceptible organism, including fungi, is essential. Should superinfection occurs, the drug should be discontinued and/or appropriate therapy instituted. As with any potent systemic agent, it is advisable to check periodically for organ system dysfunction during extended therapy; this includes renal, hepatic and hematopoietic systems. This is particularly important in neonates, especially when premature, and other infants. Since infectious mononucleosis is viral in origin, Ampicillin sodium/Sulbactam sodium IM/IV should not be used in its treatment. A high percentage of patients with mononucleosis who received ampicillin have developed a skin rash.