What is "ciclacillin"

alt. An aminopenicillin antibiotic. n. An aminopenicillin antibiotic.

Ciclacillin ( INN) or cyclacillin ( USAN), trade names Cyclapen, Cyclapen-W, Vastcillin, and others, is an aminopenicillin antibiotic. Its spectrum of activity is similar to that of ampicillin, although it is less susceptible to beta-lactamases than ampicillin and has much higher bioavailability. A large randomized, double-blind clinical trial published in 1978 also showed that ciclacillin is associated with significantly fewer and milder adverse effects than ampicillin; later studies seemed to confirm this improved tolerability, at least in children.

Ciclacillin has been superseded by newer antibiotics and is no longer in clinical use, at least in the United States.