Unasyn

Generic name: ampicillin and sulbactam
Drug class: Beta-lactamase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

What is Unasyn used for?

Unasyn is  a prescription medicine that is used to treat bacterial infections.

Description

UNASYN is an injectable antibacterial combination consisting of the semisynthetic antibacterial ampicillin sodium and the beta-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam sodium for intravenous and intramuscular administration.

Ampicillin sodium is derived from the penicillin nucleus, 6-aminopenicillanic acid. Chemically, it is monosodium (2S, 5R, 6R)-6-[(R)-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido]-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylate and has a molecular weight of 371.39. Its chemical formula is C16H18N3NaO4S. The structural formula is:

Sulbactam sodium is a derivative of the basic penicillin nucleus. Chemically, sulbactam sodium is sodium penicillinate sulfone; sodium (2S, 5R)-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo [3.2.0] heptane-2-carboxylate 4,4-dioxide. Its chemical formula is C8H10NNaO5S with a molecular weight of 255.22. The structural formula is:

UNASYN, ampicillin sodium/sulbactam sodium parenteral combination, is available as a white to off-white dry powder for reconstitution. UNASYN dry powder is freely soluble in aqueous diluents to yield pale yellow to yellow solutions containing ampicillin sodium and sulbactam sodium equivalent to 250 mg ampicillin per mL and 125 mg sulbactam per mL. The pH of the solutions is between 8.0 and 10.0.

Dilute solutions (up to 30 mg ampicillin and 15 mg sulbactam per mL) are essentially colorless to pale yellow. The pH of dilute solutions remains the same.

UNASYN pharmacy bulk package is a vial containing a sterile preparation of ampicillin sodium and sulbactam sodium for parenteral use that contains many single doses. The Pharmacy Bulk Package is for use in a pharmacy admixture setting; it provides many single doses of UNASYN for addition to suitable parenteral fluids in the preparation of admixtures for intravenous infusion.

Before taking Unasyn, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Unasyn; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have mono.
• If you have turned yellow or had liver side effects with Unasyn before.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Unasyn with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Unasyn?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Unasyn. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Severe and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened with drugs like this one.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Unasyn.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes) and test your urine glucose, talk with your doctor to find out which tests are best to use.
• Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is Unasyn best taken?

Use Unasyn as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as a shot into a muscle or as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
• It may be given as a shot into a vein.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are the side effects of Unasyn that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.
• Liver problems have rarely happened with Unasyn. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Unasyn?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Diarrhea.
• Pain where the shot was given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Unasyn?

• If you need to store Unasyn at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Label

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL – 15 G BULK VIAL LABEL

• Pfizer Injectables
• NDC 0049-0024-28
  Rx only
• Unasyn®
  (ampicillin sodium/
  sulbactam sodium)
• 15 g*
• Sterile
  For Intravenous Use
• PHARMACY BULK PACKAGE
  NOT FOR DIRECT INFUSION

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL – 15 G BULK CARTON

 

• NDC 0049-0024-28
  Rx only
• 1 Bottle
• Unasyn®
  (ampicillin sodium/
  sulbactam sodium)
• 15 g*
• PHARMACY BULK PACKAGE
  NOT FOR DIRECT INFUSION
• Sterile
• For Intravenous Use
• Pfizer Injectables

SRC: NLM .