One of the penicillins which is resistant to penicillinase but susceptible to a penicillin-binding protein. It is inactivated by gastric acid so administered by injection.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Similar to other beta-lactam antimicrobials, meticillin blocks synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. Meticillin stops cross-linkage between the peptidoglycan polymer chains, which make up a large portion of gram-positive bacterial cell walls. It does this by binding to and competitively inhibiting the transpeptidase enzyme used by bacteria to cross-link the peptide (D-alanyl-alanine) used in peptidogylcan synthesis.
- Primary indication
- Used to treat infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, particularly beta-lactamase-producing organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus that would otherwise be resistant to most penicillins.Curator reviewed
- Formula / weight
- C17H20N2O6S · 380.415 g/mol (avg)
- Also known as
- Methicillin · Methycillin
Resolves to
RJQXTJLFIWVMTO-TYNCELHUSA-NSMILES[H][C@]12SC(C)(C)[C@@H](N1C(=O)[C@H]2NC(=O)C1=C(OC)C=CC=C1OC)C(O)=OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 13, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Meticillin, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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