Abstract
Mecillinam is a new antibiotic derived from the 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) nucleus and synthesised from penicillin G. However, it is not classed as a penicillin, the difference being in the substitution of an amidino group in the 6 position in the β-lactam ring. This chemical manipulation affords the drug interesting new properties which are strikingly different from those of the penicillins in antibacterial activity and mode of action. Unfortunately mecillinam shares with the penicillins — except those in the isoxazolyl group — the disadvantage of being broken down by β-lactamase. This leaves an open β-lactam ring and a bac-teriologically inert substance. It also raises the possibility that the formation of a penicilloate can lead to hypersensitivity reactions (Leading Article, 1976). Pivmecillinam is the orally absorbed ester of mecillinam (fig. 3). An appraisal of mecillinam is given in the supplement of the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (July, 1977).
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Ball, A.P., Gray, J.A., Murdoch, J.M. (1978). Mecillinam and Pivmecillinam. In: Antibacterial Drugs Today. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8004-7_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8004-7_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-0-85200-505-7
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