Ampicillin offered a broader spectrum of activity than either of the original penicillins and allowed doctors to treat a broader range of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections. Ampicillin is often used in molecular biology as a test for the uptake of genes (e.g., by plasmids) by bacteria (e.g., E. coli)

Phenobarbital (Luminal): for generalized tonic-clonic and partial seizures (not used for absence seizures)

Mechanism: enhances GABA inhibition (↑ open time of Cl channels in presence of GABA)

Side effects: sedation, ataxia, cognitive impairment, induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes

Methicillin

Methicillin is an antibiotic related to penicillin and other beta-lactam containing antibiotics. It is often used to treat infections caused by bacteria carrying an antibiotic resistance, e.g., staphylococci. As methicillin is deactivated by gastric acid, it has to be administered by injection.

Uses Methicillin serves a purpose in the laboratory to determine antibiotic sensitivity in microbiological culture.

α-glucosidase inhibitors
 
acarbose
miglitol

Mechanism

inhibit α-glucosidases in intestinal brush border
delayed sugar hydrolysis
delayed glucose absorption
↓ postprandial hyperglycemia
↓ insulin demand

Clinical use

type II DM
as monotherapy or in combination with other agents

 Other sedatives: carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, and methocarbamol are used for muscle relaxation.

Baclofen
1. Used in spasticity states to relax skeletal muscle.
2. Occasionally used in trigeminal neuralgia.

Antihistamines (first-generation H1 receptor blockers)
1. Used for sedation (e.g., diphenhydramine).

Ethyl alcohol

Chloral hydrate

1. Short-acting sleep inducer—less risk of “hangover” effect the next day.
2. Little change on REM sleep.
3. Metabolized to trichloroethanol, an active metabolite; further metabolism inactivates the drug.
4. Used for conscious sedation in dentistry.
5. Can result in serious toxicity if the dose is not controlled.