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Systematic (IUPAC) name
(2S,5R,6R)-6-{[(2R)-2-carboxy-2-(3-thienyl)acetyl]amino}-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a685037
  • AU: B2
Routes of
Legal status
Legal status
  • ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding 45%
Biological half-life 1.1 hours
Excretion Renal
CAS Number 34787-01-4 YesY
ATC code J01CA13 (WHO) J01CR03 (WHO)
PubChem CID 36921
DrugBank DB01607 YesY
ChemSpider 33876 YesY
KEGG D08593 YesY
Chemical data
Formula C15H16N2O6S2
Molar mass 384.429 g/mol



Mechanism of action[edit]

Ticarcillin's antibiotic properties arise from its ability to prevent cross-linking of peptidoglycan during cell wall synthesis, when the bacteria try to divide, causing cell death.

Ticarcillin, like penicillin, contains a β-lactam ring that can be cleaved by beta-lactamases, resulting in inactivation of the antibiotic. Those bacteria that can express β-lactamases are, therefore, resistant to β-lactam antibiotics. Due, at least in part, to the common β-lactam ring, ticarcillin can cause reactions in patients allergic to penicillin. Ticarcillin is also often paired with a β-lactamase inhibitor such as clavulanic acid (co-ticarclav).

Other uses[edit]

In molecular biology, ticarcillin is used to as an alternative to ampicillin to test the uptake of marker genes into bacteria. It prevents the appearance of satellite colonies that occur when ampicillin breaks down in the medium. It is also used in plant molecular biology to kill Agrobacterium, which is used to deliver genes to plant cells.

Dosing and administration[edit]

Ticarcillin is not absorbed orally, so must be given by intravenous or intramuscular injection.

Trade names and preparations[edit]

  • Ticarcillin: Ticar was formerly marketed by Beecham, then SmithKline Beecham until 1999, when it merged with Glaxo to form GlaxoSmithKline; it is no longer available in the UK. US distribution ceased in 2004. Ticar was replaced by Timentin.
  • Ticarcillin/clavulanate: Timentin, in Australia, the UK, and the US, was marketed by Beecham, then GlaxoSmithKline.


Carbenicillin is used in the clinic primarily because of its low toxicity and its utility in treating urinary tract infections due to susceptible Pseudomonas species. Its low potency, low oral activity, and susceptibility to bacterial beta-lactamases make it vulnerable to replacement by agents without these deficits. One contender in this race is ticaricillin. Its origin depended on the well-known fact that a divalent sulfur is roughly equivalent to a vinyl group (cf methiopropamine, sufentanil, pizotyline etc.).

Ticarcillin synthesis: GEORGE BRAIN EDWARD, CHARLES NAYLER JOHN HERBERT; BE 646991  (1964 to Beecham).

One synthesis began by making the monobenzyl ester of 3-Thienylmalonic acid, converting this to the acid chloride with SOCl2, and condensing it with 6-Aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA). Hydrogenolysis (Pd/C) completed the synthesis of ticarcillin.