This is a ß-lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis by inactivating transpeptidases on the inner surface of the bacterial cell membrane.
Mode of Resistance
Administration with ß-lactamase cleaves the ß-lactam ring of Ampicillin and inactivates it.
Antimicrobial Spectrum
Includes both gram-positive (similar to benzylpenicillin) and gram-negative bacteria (similar to tetracyclines and chloramphenicol.
Ampicillin is used to treat certain infections that are caused by bacteria such as meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord); and infections of the throat, sinuses, lungs, reproductive organs, urinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract. Ampicillin is in a class of medications called penicillins. It works by killing bacteria.