Is Ampicillin An Appropriate Antibiotic While Having A Bad Cold Along With A Cough And Runny Nose?

Posted on Sat, 24 Feb 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 24 Feb 2018 Answered on

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had what appears as a strong cold for over a week....coughing (not violent) runny nose which has finally moved to significantly less runny. Doctor in Puerto Vallarta , Mx prescribed Ampicillin (500MG) 2 capsules every 6 hours for the first 24 hrs then one every 6 hours for 10 days as a precaution. It is the first cold I have had in years and the worst one. My age is 82, no medication ,
blood pressure 120/60 and perfectly healthy

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Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Discussion follows.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Welcome and thanks for your query.

Cold is due viral infection and antibiotics do not have any effect on the virus.

However, sometimes bacterial infection follows in which case the sputum and nasal discharge would turn yellow or green. You may also have a fever.

If so an antibiotic is required and Ampicillin is a fair antibiotic.

I hope it helps!

Take care.

Regards,
Dr. Noble Zachariah, Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar