What are different forms of penicillian?

Answer 1

Penicillin is known as a beta-lactam, a bactericidal agent that acts through suppressing the formation of the peptidoglycan cell wall that protects many bacteria. There are other beta-lactams ending in the suffix -cillin, including amoxicillin and ampicillin.

Of note, some bacteria have developed beta-lactamases, enzymes that reduce the bactericidal activity of penicillin and other beta-lactams. For this reason, a beta-lactamase inhibitor is often prescribed with a beta lactam in a combo drug, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, otherwise known as Augmentin.

Other classes of beta-lactams, such as the cephalosporins, include the agents ceftriaxone, cefepime, and ceftazadime. These have varying activity toward gram positive and gram negative organisms, depending on the class.