Carbenicillin

(CC) Image: David E. Volk
Carbenicillin

Carbenicillin, or carboxybenzylpenicillin, is a broad-spectrum beta-lactam-based antibiotic and is a derivative of penicillin. It is used for infections of the urinary tract. The most useful aspect of this drug is its antipseudomonal and antiproteal activity, but is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections in the urinary tract from bacteria including E. coli, Enterobacter species, Enterococci, Morganella morganii, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas and Providencia rettgeri.

Mechanism of action

Like other beta-lactam penicillin derivatives, carbenicillin interference with final stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis by acylating the penicillin-sensitive transpeptidase enzyme's C-terminal domain by opening the lactam ring. This prevents cross-linking of peptidoglycan strands, and leads to autolysis of the bacterial cells by the autolysin enzymes.

Chemistry

Carbenicillin is a beta-lactam-based antibiotic, which acylates a transpetidase enyzme through a lactam ring-opening reaction. Its IUPAC chemical name is (2S,5R,6R)-6-[(3-hydroxy-3-oxo-2-phenylpropanoyl)amino]-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid and it has chemical formula C₁₇H₁₈N₂O₆S (MW = 378.3996 g/mol).

External links

The most up-to-date information about Carbenicillin and other drugs can be found at the following sites.

• Carbenicillin - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Carbenicillin - Drug information for consumers from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Carbenicillin - Detailed information from DrugBank.