penamecillin

Penamecillin is a semisynthetic beta-lactam antibiotic of the penicillin class. It is the acetoxymethyl ester of benzylpenicillin (penicillin G) and acts as a prodrug, being rapidly hydrolyzed by non-specific esterases to release active benzylpenicillin in the body[1][3][4][5][7]. Its antibacterial mechanism involves binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), thereby inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis through disruption of transpeptidation, which leads to cell lysis and death in susceptible bacteria[6]. Penamecillin is primarily effective against gram-positive organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-sensitive strains), and Streptococcus pyogenes[6]. It is classified as a narrow-spectrum beta-lactamase sensitive penicillin. The drug was developed by Wyeth and has been approved for use in treating bacterial infections[4][6].

Brand names

Havapen

Other names

acetoxymethyl benzylpenicillanatebenzylpenicillin acetoxymethyl esterpenamecilinapénamécillinepenamecillinum