Name
- Ampicillin.
Class of drug
- Aminopenicillin.
Uses
Action
- Acts by binding to penicillin-binding proteins near bacterial cell walls, thereby decreasing bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity, and affecting cell division, growth and septum formation.
- As mammalian cells lack a cell wall, the beta-lactam antibiotics are extremely safe.
Indications
- Ampicillin is an acid-stable, beta-lactamase-susceptible aminopenicillin active against many Gram-positive and negative organisms, but not against those that produce penicillinases, eg some E. coli
and Staphylococcus aureus . - The difficult Gram negative organisms, eg Pseudomonas spp. and Klebsiella spp. are usually resistant.
- Most obligate anaerobes are susceptible.
- Ampicillin is excreted well in bile and urine.
Adverse reactions
Other reported reactions
- Nausea, diarrhea and skin rashes are the most common adverse effects.
