Drug Groups

approved

Description

Pivalate ester analog of ampicillin.

Indication

or the treatment of respiratory tract infections (including acute bronchitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and pneumonia); ear, nose and throat infections; gynecological infections; urinary tract infections (including acute uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis) when caused by non penicillinase-producing susceptible strains of the following organisms: gram-positive organisms, e.g., streptococci, pneumococci and staphylococci; gram-negative organisms, e.g., H. influenzae, N. gonorrhoeae, E. coli, P. mirabilis.

Pharmacology

Pivampicillin is the pivaloyloxymethyl ester of (the semi-synthetic penicillin) ampicillin. It is an inactive pro-drug, which is converted during its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract to the microbiologically active ampicillin, together with formaldehyde and pivalic acid, by non-specific esterases present in most body tissues. Amounts in excess of 99% of the pivampicillin absorbed are converted to ampicillin within 15 minutes of absorption.

Affected Organisms

Absorption

Absorbed following oral administration.

Half Life

Approximately 1 hour.

References

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