Sulbactam is a β-lactamase inhibitor given in combination with β-lactam antibiotics to inhibit β-lactamase, an enzyme produced by bacteria that destroys the antibiotics. Sulbactam in combination with semisynthetic antibiotic ampicillin sodium is indicated for the treatment of infections due to susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms: Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli etc; Intra-Abdominal Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. (including K. Pneumoniae) tec; Gynecological Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides spp. (including B. fragilis).

Ampicillin is a penicillin beta-lactam antibiotic. The following gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria have been shown in in vitro studies to be susceptible to ampicillin: Hemolytic and nonhemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Nonpenicillinase-producing staphylococci, Clostridium spp., B. anthracis, Listeria monocytogenes, most strains of enterococci, H. influenzae, N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, Proteus mirabilis, many strains of Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli. Ampicillin is indicated in the treatment of bacterial meningitis, septicemia, endocarditis, urinary tract, gastrointestinal, respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms.