Timentin (ticarcillin, clavulanic acid)

How does it work?

Timentin injection contains two active ingredients, ticarcillin and clavulanic acid. Ticarcillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic, and clavulanic acid is a medicine that prevents bacteria from inactivating the ticarcillin. Timentin is used mainly to treat infections caused by a type of bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Ticarcillin works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to form cell walls. The cell walls of bacteria are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering their cells and stop the contents of their cells from leaking out. Ticarcillin impairs the bonds that hold the bacterial cell wall together. This allows holes to appear in the cell walls and kills the bacteria.

Certain bacteria are resistant to penicillin-type antibiotics, because they have developed the ability to produce defensive chemicals called beta-lactamases. These interfere with the structure of penicillin-type antibiotics and stop them from working.

Clavulanic acid is a type of medicine known as a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It is included in this medicine because it inhibits the action of the beta-lactamases produced by certain bacteria. It prevents these bacteria from inactivating the ticarcillin, and leaves the bacteria susceptible to attack. Clavulanic acid therefore increases the range of bacteria that ticarcillin can kill.

Timentin is normally used in hospitals. It is given by infusion (drip) into a vein and is generally used for treating severe infections, for example infections affecting the blood or internal organs, bones and joints, upper or lower airways or skin and soft tissue.

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to Timentin, your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin, or a urine or blood sample.

What is it used for?

Bacterial infections of the lower respiratory tract (lungs and airways) eg bronchitis, pneumonia.

Bacterial infections of the blood (septicaemia).

Bacterial infections of bone or joints.

Bacterial infections of the ears, nose or throat, eg otitis media, tonsillitis.

Bacterial infections inside the abdomen, eg peritonitis.

Bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissue, eg cellulitis, animal bites.

Bacterial infections of the kidney, eg pyelonephritis.

Bacterial infections after surgery.

Warning!

During long-term treatment with this medicine, your doctor may want to take routine blood tests to monitor your kidney function, liver function, levels of blood cells and levels of salts such as sodium and potassium in your blood.

Antibiotics can sometimes cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis). For this reason, if you get diarrhoea either during or after having treatment with this medicine, particularly if it becomes severe or persistent, or contains blood or mucus, you should tell your doctor immediately.

Medicines of this type may rarely cause cholestatic jaundice either during or following treatment. For this reason you should consult your doctor if you experience any yellowing of the eyes or skin while having treatment with this medicine, or in the few weeks after finishing treatment.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function.

Decreased liver function.

History of allergies.

Sodium restriction.

Not to be used in

Allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin-type antibiotics.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been fully established, but it is not known to be harmful. It should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh any possible risks to the developing baby.

This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts, but at normal doses it is unlikely to harm the baby. Discuss with your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Diarrhoea.

Nausea.

Vomiting.

Rash.

Itching (pruritus).

Nettle rash (urticaria).

Skin reactions at the injection site, eg pain, burning or swelling.

Overgrowth of the yeast Candida, which may cause infection such as thrush.

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).

Blood disorders.

Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis).

Low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia).

Convulsions.

Severe allergic reactions, eg anaphylaxis.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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