Introduction

Name

• Ticarcillin.

Class of drug

• Carboxypenicillin antibiotic.
• Semi-synthetic penicillin.

Description

Chemical name

• (2S,5R,6R)-6-{[(2R)-2-carboxy-2-(3-thienyl)acetyl]amino}-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid.

Molecular formula

• C₁₅H₁₆N₂O₆S₂.

Molecular weight

• 384.43.

Physical properties

• White to pale yellow, hygroscopic powder of lyophilized cake.
• More than 600 mg is soluble in 1 mL of water.

Storage requirements

• Injectable powder should be stored at temperatures less than 30°C/86°F.
• After reconstitution it is stable for 48-72 h in the fridge. The reconstituted solution should not be left at room temperature.
• Frozen solutions (-20°C/-4°F) are stable at least for 30 days.

Uses

Indications

• Indicated for serious or life-threatening bacterial infections, particularly those involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Always used when culture and sensitivity do not provide more available options.
• Relatively expensive antibiotic

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

Aminoglycosides

• Do not mix gentamicin with ticarcillin because there may be mutual inactivation.
• Ticarcillin + clavulanic acid + amikacin appears to be safer or even synergistic in vivo (but should not be mixed in the same syringe).

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Manire C A, Hunter R P, Koch D E et al (2005) Pharmacokinetics of ticarcillin in the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) after single intravenous and intramuscular injections. J Zoo Wildl Med 36 (1), 44-53 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Plumb D (2015) Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. 8th edn. Wiley Blackwell. pp 1296.
• McArthur S, Wilkinson R & Meyer J (2004) Medicine and Surgery of Tortoises and Turtles. Wiley Blackwell, UK. pp 579.
• Tennant B (1999) Small Animal Formulary. 3rd edn. BSAVA, UK.

Organisation(s)

• National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) Compendium of Data Sheets for Animal Medicines. Website: www.noahcompendium.co.uk.