ampicillin

Ampicillin is a broad-spectrum, semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic in the aminopenicillin subclass of the penicillin family. It is used to treat or prevent a wide range of bacterial infections, including those affecting the respiratory tract, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, meninges (meningitis), reproductive organs, and skin. Ampicillin works by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) within bacterial cell walls and inhibiting the final stage of peptidoglycan synthesis required for cell wall integrity. This inhibition leads to weakened cell walls and ultimately causes bacterial lysis and death. Ampicillin is active against many gram-positive bacteria as well as some gram-negative organisms due to its ability to penetrate their outer membrane via an amino group modification[1][3][5][6]. It is available in oral capsule, suspension, and injectable forms.

Brand names

AmcillOmnipenPenbritinPolycillinPrincipenTotacillinUnasyn

Other names

ampicillin