Anti-Pseudomonal Penicillins

Summary

Antipseudomonal penicillins are a group of beta-lactam antibiotics that belong to the penicillin family. Two important drug names for the antipseudomonal penicillins are piperacillin and ticarcillin. These drugs share the same mechanism and many properties with other penicillins, but are notable for their extended coverage of gram-negative bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The major method by which bacteria become resistant to antipseudomonal penicillins is by creating penicillinases or beta-lactamases.

Key Points

• Antipseudomonal Penicillins
  • Drug Names
    • Piperacillin
    • Ticarcillin
    • Carbenicillin
  • Mechanism
    • Same as Penicillin
  • Clinical Use
    • Extended-spectrum coverage
      • Pseudomonas spp.
      • Other gram-negative rods
  • Adverse Effects
    • Same as Penicillin
  • Resistance
    • Sensitive to penicillinase (beta-lactamases)
      • Easily inactivated by cleavage of beta-lactam ring
      • Administer with beta-lactamase inhibitors (tazobactam)