POLYFLEX (ampicillin for injectable suspension, veterinary) is a broad-spectrum penicillin which has bactericidal activity against a wide range of common gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
The antimicrobial action of ampicillin is bactericidal, and only a small percentage of the antibiotic is serum-bound.
Peak serum levels in dogs and cats are reached approximately one-half hour following subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, and in cattle 1 hour to 2 hours following intramuscular injection.
In vitro studies have demonstrated sensitivity of the following organisms to ampicillin: gram-positive bacteria - alpha- and beta-hemolytic streptococci, staphylococci (non-penicillinase-producing), Bacillus anthracis and most strains of enterococci and clostridia; gram-negative bacteria - Proteus mirabilis, E. coli and many strains of Salmonella and Pasteurella multocida.
The drug does not resist destruction by penicillinase and, hence, is not effective against strains of staphylococci resistant to penicillin G.
Susceptibility tests should be conducted to estimate the in vitrosusceptibility of bacterial isolates to ampicillin.
POLYFLEX has proved effective in the treatment of many infections previously beyond the spectrum of penicillin therapy.
