Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: POLYCILLIN PRB versus UNIPEN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: POLYCILLIN PRB versus UNIPEN.
POLYCILLIN-PRB vs UNIPEN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
POLYCILLIN-PRB combines ampicillin and probenecid. Ampicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Probenecid inhibits renal tubular secretion of ampicillin, increasing its plasma concentration.
Unipen (nafcillin) is a penicillinase-resistant penicillin that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), blocking transpeptidation and autolysin inhibition.
250-500 mg orally every 6 hours or 500 mg-1 g intramuscularly every 6-8 hours.
500 mg to 2 g orally or intravenously every 4 to 6 hours; maximum 12 g/day IV for serious infections.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life: 1-1.5 hours in patients with normal renal function; prolonged to 7-10 hours in anuria.
0.5-1 hour in normal renal function; prolonged to 7-10 hours in anuria or severe renal impairment.
Renal: 60-80% unchanged via glomerular filtration and tubular secretion; Biliary/fecal: 20-40% as metabolites and unchanged drug.
Renal: 70-90% unchanged via tubular secretion and glomerular filtration; biliary: minor (<10%); fecal: minimal.
Category C
Category C
Penicillin Antibiotic
Penicillin Antibiotic