Abstract

Talampicillin (Talpen) is the phthalidyl ester of ampicillin. During absorption the ester is hydrolysed in the gut to ampicillin and hydroxy-methylbenzoic acid. Talampicillin is marketed by Beecham which also produces ampicillin (Penbritin). Amoxycillin (Amoxil) is not an ester, but has a similar structure and the same antibacterial spectrum as ampicillin.¹ Amoxycillin is marketed by Bencard which is a subsidiary of Beecham.