Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMPICILLIN versus UNASYN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMPICILLIN versus UNASYN.
Ampicillin vs UNASYN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Ampicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), inhibiting transpeptidase activity, and disrupting peptidoglycan cross-linking.
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 orally every 6 hours; 1-2 g IV/IM every 4-6 hours.
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 in adults with normal renal function; prolonged to 7-20 hours in end-stage renal disease (CrCl <10 mL/min).
Clinical Note
moderateAmpicillin + Acemetacin
"Ampicillin may decrease the excretion rate of Acemetacin which could result in a higher serum level."
Clinical Note
moderateAmpicillin + Probenecid
"The serum concentration of Probenecid can be increased when it is combined with Ampicillin."
Clinical Note
moderateBacampicillin + Probenecid
"The serum concentration of Probenecid can be increased when it is combined with Bacampicillin."
Clinical Note
moderatePivampicillin + Probenecid
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: 90% unchanged via glomerular filtration and tubular secretion; biliary: 10% (small amount).
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
"The serum concentration of Probenecid can be increased when it is combined with Pivampicillin."