Pediatrics in Review
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(Pediatrics in Review. 2006;27:434-436.)
© 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics

In Brief

Ampicillin and Amoxicillin

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

The Use of Antibiotics. Kucers A. In: Crowe KS, Grayson ML, Hoy J, eds. The Use of Antibiotics: A Clinical Review of Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral Drugs. 5th ed. Oxford, United Kingdom: Butterworth-Heinemann Publishing; 1997:108–143, 192–208 Penicillins. Chambers HF. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. Vol 1. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005:281 –293 Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otitis Media. Subcommittee on Management of Acute Otitis Media. American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians. Pediatrics. 2004;113 :1451–1465[Abstract/Free Full Text] Management of Sinusitis. Subcommittee on Management of Sinusitis and Committee on Quality Improvement. American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2001; 108:798 –808[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Ampicillin and amoxicillin are aminopenicillins derived from the penicillin nucleus. Their basic structure consists of the beta-lactam ring and a side chain. The ring structure confers antimicrobial activity, and the side chain determines the antibacterial spectrum and pharmacologic properties. The antibacterial activity of aminopenicillins is similar to that of other penicillins via inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Penicillin-sensitive reactions in bacterial cell wall synthesis are catalyzed by a class of proteins called penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), which are inhibited by beta-lactam antibiotics.

The antibacterial spectrum of aminopenicillins includes nonbeta-lactamase-producing gram-positive cocci, anaerobes, and gram-negative cocci, including Neisseria and Enterobacteriacae that do not produce beta-lactamase. These agents are not active against Pseudomonas sp and are hydrolyzed by beta-lactamases, making them ineffective against beta-lactamase-producing strains of bacteria.

Ampicillin is effective in treating upper and lower respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, beta-hemolytic streptococci, and nonbeta-lactamase-producing strains of Haemophilus influenzae. It also is effective in the treatment of meningitis caused by group B streptococci, . . . [Full Text of this Article]


Zainab A. Malik, MD
Nathan Litman, MD
 Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Bronx, NY

Henry M. Adam, MD
 Editor, In Brief





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