| Indication |
For the treatment of infants with pneumonia and empyema caused by
staphylococci shown to be susceptible to the drug. Also used in ointment
form for topical treatment of a variety of localized skin and eye
infections, as well as for the prevention of wound infections. Used
against gram positive bacteria. Bacitracin is also used as an inhibitor
of proteases and other enzymes.
However, specific activity of bactracin's inhibition of protein
disulfide isomerase has been called into question. |
| Pharmacodynamics |
Bacitracin is a mixture of related cyclic polypeptides produced by organisms of the licheniformis group of Bacillus subtilis var
Tracy. As a polypeptide, toxic, and difficult to use chemical,
bacitracin doesn't work well orally, however is very effective
topically. Bacitracin exerts pronounced antibacterial action in vitro
against a variety of gram-positive and a few gram-negative organisms.
However, among systemic diseases, only staphylococcal infections qualify
for consideration of bacitracin therapy. |
| Mechanism of action |
Bacitracin intereferes with the dephosphorylation of the
55-carbon, biphosphate lipid transport molecule C55-isoprenyl
pyrophosphate (undecaprenyl pyrophosphate), which carries the building
blocks of the peptidoglycan bacterial cell wall outside the inner
membrane for construction. Bacitracin binds divalent transition metal
ions (Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)) which binds and
oxidatively cleave DNA. |
| Absorption |
Absorption of bacitracin following intramuscular injection is
rapid and complete. Absorption from the gastrointestinal tract following
oral administration is not appreciable. Absorption following topical
application is negligible. |
| Volume of distribution |
Not Available |
| Protein binding |
Not Available |
| Metabolism |
Not Available |
| Route of elimination |
The drug is excreted slowly by glomerular filtration. |
| Half life |
Not Available |
| Clearance |
Not Available |
| Toxicity |
Oral, mouse: LD50 = >3750 mg/kg. |
| Affected organisms |
- Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria
|
