Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMPICILLIN AND SULBACTAM versus BACTOCILL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMPICILLIN AND SULBACTAM versus BACTOCILL.
AMPICILLIN AND SULBACTAM vs BACTOCILL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Ampicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), inhibiting transpeptidase activity. Sulbactam is a β-lactamase inhibitor that irreversibly inhibits a broad range of β-lactamases, preventing degradation of ampicillin.
BACTOCILL (nafcillin) is a penicillinase-resistant penicillin that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), thereby inhibiting transpeptidation and autolysin inhibitors. Active against Staphylococcus aureus and other gram-positive bacteria.
1.5-3 g (ampicillin 1-2 g + sulbactam 0.5-1 g) IV/IM every 6 hours. Maximum daily dose of sulbactam is 4 g.
250-500 mg orally every 6 hours or 1-2 g intravenously every 4-6 hours
None Documented
None Documented
Ampicillin: 1-1.8 hours; sulbactam: 1-1.5 hours. Prolonged in renal impairment (e.g., creatinine clearance <30 mL/min: up to 8-12 hours).
0.5-0.8 hours; prolonged to 2-4 hours in severe renal impairment
Primarily renal (70-75% unchanged ampicillin, 75-80% unchanged sulbactam). Biliary excretion accounts for ~25% of ampicillin and ~20% of sulbactam. Fecal elimination is minor (<5%).
Renal: 60-70% unchanged; biliary: 20-30% as active metabolite; fecal: 5-10%
Category A/B
Category C
Penicillin Antibiotic
Penicillin Antibiotic