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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries
Published on: December 27, 2016
Abstract:
Side-effects of aminopenicillin therapy are reviewed on the basis of nine comparative studies of ampicillin and bacampicillin, and available literature data from investigations with talampicillin, pivampicillin, bacampicillin and amoxycillin. Diarrhoea is more common with ampicillin than with newer aminopenicillins. Exanthema do not appear more frequently with newer aminopenicillins. The frequency of upper gastrointestinal complaints in association with some of the newer aminopenicillins (amoxycillin, bacampicillin) is not more frequent than with ampicillin. All current evidence speaks in favour of a change from ampicillin to modern aminopenicillins for oral therapy.
Insights
Newer aminopenicillins offer improved oral therapy compared to ampicillin, with less diarrhea and similar rates of other side effects. Evidence supports switching from ampicillin to modern aminopenicillins.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Therapeutics
Background:
- Aminopenicillins are widely used antibiotics.
- Ampicillin, a first-generation aminopenicillin, has known side effects.
- Modern aminopenicillins have been developed to improve efficacy and tolerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare the side-effect profiles of ampicillin and newer oral aminopenicillins.
- To evaluate the suitability of modern aminopenicillins for oral therapy.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of nine studies involving ampicillin and bacampicillin.
- Literature review of investigations on talampicillin, pivampicillin, bacampicillin, and amoxycillin.
Main Results:
- Diarrhea is significantly more frequent with ampicillin compared to newer aminopenicillins.
- Exanthema (rashes) occur with similar frequency across ampicillin and newer agents.
- Upper gastrointestinal complaints are not more frequent with amoxycillin and bacampicillin than with ampicillin.
Conclusions:
- Modern oral aminopenicillins demonstrate a more favorable side-effect profile than ampicillin, particularly regarding diarrhea.
- The available evidence strongly supports transitioning from ampicillin to newer aminopenicillins for oral antibiotic treatment.
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