HETACILLIN POTASSIUM

For general information on the penicillins, including adverse effects, contraindications, overdosage, drug interactions and monitoring parameters, refer to the monograph: Penicillins, General Information..
Chemistry - An aminopenicillin, hetacillin potassium occurs as a white to light buff crystallinepowder that is freely soluble in water and soluble in alcohol. Hetacillin is rapidly converted intoampicillin in vivo. 1.1 g of the potassium salt is approximately equivalent to 1 gram of the base and900 mg of ampicillin.

Storage, Stability, Compatibility

Hetacillin tablets should be stored in airtight containers.

Pharmacology - HETACILLIN POTASSIUM

Because hetacillin is rapidly converted into ampicillin after administration, itshares identical mechanisms of action and spectrums of activity with ampicillin. For more information, refer to the ampicillin monograph.

Uses, Indications

Hetacillin is approved for oral use in dogs in cats and when oral ampicillintherapy may be indicated. It is also approved in an intramammary syringe formulation to treatmastitis in lactating dairy cattle caused by ampicillin-susceptible organisms.
Pharmacokinetics (specific) - Hetacillin is rapidly hydrolyzed in vivo to ampicillin, and thereforereportedly possesses identical pharmacokinetic parameters as ampicillin. For further informationrefer to the ampicillin monograph.