Amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative used for the treatment of infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, in particular streptococcal bacteria causing upper respiratory tract infections. Amoxicillin alone is indicated to treat susceptible bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, genitourinary tract, skin, skin structure, and lower respiratory tract. Amoxicillin is given with calvulanic acid to treat acute bacterial sinusitis, community acquired pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infections, acute bacterial otitis media, skin and skin structure infections, and urinary tract infections. Amoxicillin is given with omeprazole in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Amoxicillin competitively inhibits penicillin-binding protein 1 and other high molecular weight penicillin binding proteins. Penicillin bind proteins are responsible for glycosyltransferase and transpeptidase reactions that lead to cross-linking of D-alanine and D-aspartic acid in bacterial cell walls. Without the action of penicillin binding proteins, bacteria upregulate autolytic enzymes and are unable to build and repair the cell wall, leading to bacteriocidal action.

Amoxicillin Pathway References