Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMPICILLIN TRIHYDRATE versus UNASYN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMPICILLIN TRIHYDRATE versus UNASYN.
AMPICILLIN TRIHYDRATE vs UNASYN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), inhibiting transpeptidation and autolysin activity.
Ampicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs); sulbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that prevents degradation of ampicillin by beta-lactamases.
250-500 mg PO q6h or 1-2 g IV/IM q4-6h; up to 12 g/day IV for severe infections.
3 g (ampicillin 2 g + sulbactam 1 g) IV every 6 hours; total daily dose of sulbactam not to exceed 4 g.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life 1-1.8 hours; prolonged in renal impairment (up to 10-20 hours in anuria)
Ampicillin: ~1 hour (normal renal function); sulbactam: ~1-1.4 hours (normal renal function); prolonged in renal impairment (ampicillin up to 20 hours, sulbactam up to 10-15 hours in anuria).
Renal: 75-90% unchanged; biliary: small amount; fecal: negligible
Renal: ampicillin (~75-90% unchanged) and sulbactam (~75-85% unchanged); biliary/fecal: minimal (<5% for each component).
Category A/B
Category C
Penicillin Antibiotic
Penicillin Antibiotic