Comparative Blood Levels of Hetacillin, Ampicillin and Penicillin G

Abstract

AMPICILLIN is a penicillin with a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Against enterococci ampicillin has been found to be roughly equal in activity (minimal inhibitory concentrations) to penicillin G, but its bactericidal action appears to be greater.^{1 , 2} Ampicillin in high doses has also been shown to provide optimal single-drug therapy for meningitis caused by pneumococci, meningococci and influenza bacilli.³ Large doses of penicillin G given intravenously are needed to attain effective serum concentrations for meningitis and enterococcal endocarditis, but comparative blood-level studies with ampicillin, which has different pharmacologic properties, have not been reported. Ampicillin is known . . .