Sketchy Pharm: Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Piperacillin, and Ticarcillin

Question 1

How are ampicillin, amoxicillin, piperacillin, and ticarcillin chemically different from the other penicillins?

Answer 1

They have an amino group (which Sketchy is trying to get you to know from the bar’s name: “Amino’s Cantina”).

Question 2

The amino penicillins are ________-spectrum.

Answer 2

broad (meaning they retain penicillin’s ability to kill Gram-positive organisms but can also kill Gram-negative organisms)

(Think of the reddish hues of the cantina.)

Question 3

_____________ has great bioavailability.

Answer 3

Amoxicillin

Think of Han Solo popping the snack into his mouth next to the AMmo bOX.

Question 4

Amoxicillin is effective against ________________.

Answer 4

Streptococcus and Haemophilus influenza pneumonia (as well as otitis media)

(Think of the alien putting his fingers in his ears and the H-flu plane –with the H-shaped beams –flying over the cantina.)

Question 5

What is the triple therapy?

Answer 5

Amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and a PPI

Question 6

Amoxicillin is used against a parasite transmitted by the Ixodes tick: ______________________.

Answer 6

Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)

Question 7

Ampicillin is used in what three infections?

Answer 7

Listeria meningitis (represented by the alien playing with the AMP in front of the set LIST –he has the helmet on)

Enterococcus

Anaerobic pneumonia (the alien rocker is wearing a gas mask)

Question 8

Other than clavulanate, what are two beta-lactamase inhibitors?

Answer 8

Sulbactam and tazobactam (like the tambourine players standing BACk-to-BACk near the clavulanate clarinet player)

Question 9

Amoxicillin is used prophylactically for ________________.

Answer 9

asplenic patients (represented by the guy with a hole in his shirt in the LUQ position) and for high risk endocarditis in dental procedures (the guy being punched has a tooth flyingout)

Question 10

What are some adverse effects of amoxicillin?

Answer 10

SJS (mask flying off)
Hepatotoxicity (the little creature with the liver spot is being trampled)
Red rash when given during viral illness (flashing red lights over Epstein’s bar)

Question 11

What two non-amino penicillins have similar spectrums as amoxicillin and ampicillin?

Answer 11

Piperacillin and ticarcillin

PIPERs playing in TIgeR stripes