A fluid access assembly (1) for use with a syringe (4), a vial (6) having a stopper (8) or an ampoule (9,28,34,36) with a frangible end (10) and a sealed end (11), the assembly comprising a vial adapter (2) having a first cannula (12) with a proximal portion (13) for sealingly receiving the syringe and a distal portion (14) for puncturing the vial's stopper; and an ampoule adapter (3,26,28,32,37) having a second cannula (19,27,29) with a proximal portion (19A) initially sealingly and detachably mounted on the first cannula distal portion, the second cannula being dimensioned to abut against the previously opened ampoule's sealed end on its sliding onto said second cannula thereby enabling aspiration of its contents into the syringe, characterized in the ampoule adapter (3) having a body portion (18) with at least one pair of oppositely disposed gripping members (24,33,38) substantially co-directional and co-extensive with the second cannula for respectively receiving the ampoule's opened end therein and gripping opposite sides of at least the ampoule's lower portion towards its sealed end on said sliding.