Penicillins and Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors (Systemic)
Category- Antibacterial, systemic - Amoxicillin and Clavulanate; Ampicillin
and Sulbactam; Piperacillin and Tazobactam; Ticarcillin and Clavulanate
DescriptionPenicillins
and beta-lactamase inhibitors are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
They work by killing the bacteria or preventing their growth. The beta-lactamase
inhibitor is added to the penicillin to protect the penicillin from certain
substances (enzymes) that will destroy the penicillin before it can kill the
bacteria.
There are several different kinds of penicillins. Each is used to treat
different kinds of infections. One kind of penicillin usually may not be used
in place of another. In addition, penicillins are used to treat bacterial
infections in many different parts of the body. They are sometimes given with
other antibacterial medicines. Some of the penicillins may also be used for
other problems as determined by your doctor. However, none of the penicillins
will work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
Penicillins are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the
following dosage forms:
Oral
-
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate
-
Oral suspension (U.S. and Canada)
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Chewable tablets (U.S.)
Parenteral
-
Ampicillin and Sulbactam
-
Piperacillin and Tazobactam
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
-
Ticarcillin and Clavulanate
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
- Augmentin 1
- Timentin 4
- Unasyn 2
- Zosyn 3
In Canada -
- Clavulin-250 1
- Clavulin-125F 1
- Clavulin-250F 1
- Clavulin-500F 1
- Tazocin 3
- Timentin 4
Note:
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For quick reference, the following penicillins and beta-lactamase
inhibitors are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
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This information applies to the following medicines: |
1. |
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate (a-mox-i-SILL-in and klav-yoo-LAN-ate) |
2. |
Ampicillinand Sulbactam (am-pi-SILL-in and sul-BAK-tam)† |
3. |
Piperacillinand Tazobactam (pi-PER-a-sill-in and ta-zoe-BAK-tam) |
4. |
Ticarcillinand Clavulanate (tye-kar-SILL-in and klav-yoo-LAN-ate) |
† Not commercially available in Canada |
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