NCIt definition : A prodrug of ampicillin, a broad-spectrum, semisynthetic, beta-lactam aminopenicillin
antibiotic with bactericidal activity. Bacampicillin is hydrolyzed in vivo by esterases
to its active metabolite ampicillin. Ampicillin binds to and inactivates penicillin-binding
proteins (PBP) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell wall. Inactivation
of PBPs interferes with the cross-linkage of peptidoglycan chains necessary for bacterial
cell wall strength and rigidity. This interrupts bacterial cell wall synthesis and
results in the weakening of the bacterial cell wall and causes cell lysis.;