Sulbactam is a drug used to treat a variety of infections such as skin infections, gynecological infections or infections of the abdomen. This medication is used along with ampicillin, also a drug used to fight infections caused by bacteria. Sulbctam can be given orally or, in most cases, through injections. Many mild to severe side effects are associated with sulbactam.
Allergic Reaction
For those being treated with sulbactam, severe allergic reactions are possible. As reported by drugs.com, symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, chest pain, rash, hives, itching, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue, bloody stools, severe diarrhea, chills and fever. Other indicators include severe vomiting and upset stomach, stomach pain, cramps, unusual bruising and bleeding, vaginal irritation, vaginal discharge, inflammation of veins, tenderness of veins and white patches in the mouth.
Side Effects : Local/Gastrointestinal
Drugs.com explains that common local side effects include pain at the intramuscular injection site and swelling of the vein and pain at the intravenous injection site. Reported gastrointestinal side effects have included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and gas, and swelling of the tongue. These side effects were rarely reported by those using sulbactam. Other rare side effects are pancreatitis, inflammation of the lining of the stomach, stomatitis, black and hairy tongue, and inflammation of the small intestine.
Side Effects: Hypersensitivity/Dermatologic
Many patients have reported being hypersensitive to taking this drug. Such hypersensitivity issues have included rash, itching, low blood pressure, edema, eosinophilia, rapid breathing, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), Stevens-Johnson syndrome and certain kidney disorders. Dermatologic side effects, as explained by drugs.com, are dermatitis, dry skin, allergic reaction causing itching, chills, fever and joint pain and blotches (red in color) on the surface of the skin.
Side Effects: Nervous System/Hematologic
According to drugs.com, there are many mild to severe nervous system and hematologic side effects that have affected many patients. Nervous system side effects included seizures in patients who are extremely sick and, in some cases, neurotoxicity. Drugs.com states that hematologic side effects are decreases and increases in hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, neutrophils, platelets and lymphocytes. Anemia, low levels of platelets and a decrease in the white blood-cell count, is also possible.
Additional Side Effects
Hepatic side effects have also been reported. Drugs.com states that in rare cases, hepatitis has occurred, but increases in "AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase and LDH" are common. Increased levels of these enzymes indicates that there may be damage to the liver or surrounding muscles. Genitourinary side effects are also possible and include difficulty urinating, painful urination, blood in the urine and urinary hyaline casts. Nosebleeds, swelling of the face, swelling of the throat (causing difficulty swallowing) and chills are other side effects that have been experienced by those taking sulbactam.
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