Small molecule
PubChem CID 33613
Amoxicillin
Amoxil
- Mechanism of action
- Beta-lactam, inhibits cell wall synthesis
- In plain language
- Punches holes in the protective wall bacteria need to survive, causing them to burst apart before they can multiply.
- How it works
- Amoxicillin is a semisynthetic aminopenicillin that binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), particularly the transpeptidase enzymes located in the bacterial cell membrane. This binding blocks the final cross-linking (transpeptidation) step of peptidoglycan synthesis, the structural mesh that gives the bacterial cell wall its rigidity. Because an intact peptidoglycan layer is essential for withstanding internal osmotic pressure, the weakened wall causes the bacterium to lyse and die, an effect most pronounced during active cell division. Its added amino group (versus ampicillin) improves oral bioavailability and gram-negative penetration, though amoxicillin remains susceptible to inactivation by beta-lactamase enzymes produced by resistant strains.
- Therapeutic applications
- FDA-indicated for treatment of infections due to susceptible bacterial isolates, including ear, nose, and throat infections (otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis/tonsillitis); genitourinary tract infections; skin and skin-structure infections; lower respiratory tract infections (including community-acquired pneumonia and bronchitis); acute uncomplicated gonorrhea; and Helicobacter pylori eradication as part of combination regimens to reduce duodenal ulcer recurrence.
- Class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Antibiotic
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