Ticarcillin

Pronunciation: ty-kar-SIL-in.

Generic name: ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid)
Brand names: Timentin (US/UK/Canada/Australia historical and, in Australia, current name), Claventin (France)
Drug class: Carboxypenicillin (extended-spectrum penicillin) antibiotic, historically combined with the beta-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid
Form: Powder for solution for injection/infusion
Route: Intravenous infusion
Legal status: Prescription-only, hospital-administered injectable antibiotic where still marketed

Supply Rules Vary

Trade names by country: United States · Canada · Australia

Australia: Timentin (5) · Full directory

What ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid) is and how it works

Ticarcillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic that, in every real marketed product found, was combined with clavulanic acid (brand name Timentin, or Claventin in France) to treat serious bacterial infections in a hospital setting, given by intravenous infusion. (2) (4) (5) (6)

This medicine's availability has changed substantially in recent years. GlaxoSmithKline, the original manufacturer, stopped making ticarcillin/clavulanate worldwide in 2015 for commercial reasons (not a safety concern) -- it is now confirmed discontinued in the United States and Canada, and also discontinued in France. It remains actively registered and supplied in Australia by a different manufacturer (Aspen Pharmacare). Its current status in the United Kingdom and New Zealand could not be confirmed. If you have been prescribed this medicine, your hospital or pharmacist can confirm what is currently available and what alternative antibiotic may be used if it is not.

Mechanism of action: how ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid) works

Ticarcillin is an extended-spectrum (carboxypenicillin) beta-lactam antibiotic active against many Gram-negative and some Gram-positive organisms; clavulanic acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor added to extend its activity against beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. (1)

What ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid) is used for

Serious bacterial infections (historical/where still available)

Where marketed, ticarcillin/clavulanate was used to treat serious bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms, including lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, intra-abdominal infections, gynecological infections, and bloodstream infections (bacteremia/septicemia), always given in a hospital setting by IV infusion. (1)

Before taking ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid)

Do not take / not appropriate for

Do not receive ticarcillin/clavulanate if you have a known hypersensitivity to penicillins, cephalosporins, or any component of the product. (all products) (1)

Tell your clinician about

Any history of allergic reaction to penicillin, cephalosporin, or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
Any history of seizures or kidney impairment.
Any bleeding disorder or if you take anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medicines.
If you require a sodium- or potassium-restricted diet.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
All other medicines you are taking, especially aminoglycoside antibiotics, probenecid, anticoagulants, or methotrexate.

(1)

How to take ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid)

Ticarcillin/clavulanate is given only by intravenous infusion in a hospital or clinical setting, never self-administered at home.
The dose and frequency are set by your treating clinician based on the type and severity of infection, your kidney function, and your body weight.
It must not be mixed in the same infusion as an aminoglycoside antibiotic, since this can inactivate both medicines.

(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

Since this medicine is administered by healthcare professionals as part of a hospital treatment course, there is no patient-managed missed-dose scenario. Contact the treating team with any concerns about your dosing schedule.

Overdose

Overdose in a hospital setting would be managed by the clinical team, with attention to seizure risk, bleeding parameters, and electrolyte (sodium/potassium) load. This is not a scenario a patient would self-manage. (1)

Side effects

Effects are monitored by the treating hospital team. Historical, real reported effects include:

Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

What to notice: Gastrointestinal upset during treatment.

What to do: Tell the treating team if severe or persistent. (1)

Rash, urticaria (hives), or fever

What to notice: Skin reaction or unexplained fever during treatment.

What to do: Report to the treating team promptly for assessment. (1)

Injection-site reactions

What to notice: Pain, redness, or swelling at the IV site.

What to do: Report to the nursing/clinical team. (1)

Signs of anaphylaxis or serious allergic reaction

What to notice: Sudden difficulty breathing, swelling of face/throat/tongue, widespread rash, rapid heartbeat, collapse.

What to do: This is a medical emergency; the clinical team will respond immediately -- serious and occasionally fatal penicillin hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. (1)

Seizures

What to notice: Convulsions or unusual neurological changes, more likely with kidney impairment or high doses.

What to do: Requires immediate medical assessment by the treating team. (1)

Unusual bleeding or bruising

What to notice: Prolonged bleeding, easy bruising, blood in urine or stool.

What to do: Report promptly; this medicine can affect blood clotting (hypoprothrombinemia) and platelet function, especially relevant if taking anticoagulants. (1)

Serious warnings

Anaphylaxis / serious penicillin hypersensitivity — emergency

Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, facial/throat swelling, severe rash, collapse.

Action: Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with penicillin-class antibiotics; the clinical team will respond immediately and this medicine will be discontinued under medical direction. (1)

Seizures / CNS toxicity — important

Symptoms: Convulsions, confusion, unusual neurological symptoms.

Action: Risk is higher with impaired kidney function or high doses; the treating team monitors for this. (1)

Bleeding / platelet dysfunction — important

Symptoms: Unusual bleeding or bruising.

Action: Coagulation parameters are monitored, especially in patients on anticoagulants. (1)

Sodium/potassium load — important

Symptoms: Not directly noticeable; relevant for patients needing electrolyte restriction.

Action: Used with caution and monitoring in patients requiring sodium or potassium restriction (e.g., heart failure, kidney disease). (1)

Interactions

Medicine or test	Effect	Action
Aminoglycoside antibiotics	Can inactivate each other if mixed together in the same IV solution.	Must be administered as separate infusions, not combined in the same line/solution. (1)
Probenecid	Increases and prolongs serum ticarcillin levels.	The clinical team accounts for this if both are used together. (1)
Anticoagulants (blood thinners)	May enhance anticoagulant effect, increasing bleeding risk.	Coagulation status is monitored more closely. (1)
Methotrexate	May reduce methotrexate clearance, increasing its toxicity risk.	The clinical team monitors methotrexate levels/toxicity more closely if combined. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Kidney impairment

Dose and frequency are adjusted for reduced kidney function; seizure risk is also higher in this group. (1)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Historical data placed this medicine in pregnancy category B (animal studies did not show fetal risk; controlled human studies were not adequate). Discuss use in pregnancy or breastfeeding with the treating clinician. (1)

Patients requiring sodium/potassium restriction

Each dose contains a significant sodium and potassium load; used cautiously with monitoring in patients who need to restrict these electrolytes. (1)

Monitoring

Before starting

Screen for penicillin/cephalosporin allergy history.
Assess kidney function and seizure risk factors.
Review current medicines for interactions, especially aminoglycosides, anticoagulants, and methotrexate.
Confirm real, current local availability with pharmacy, since this medicine has been discontinued in several countries.

During treatment

Monitor for signs of allergic reaction throughout the infusion course.
Monitor coagulation parameters, especially in patients on anticoagulants or with bleeding risk.
Monitor electrolytes (sodium/potassium) and kidney function during treatment.
Watch for neurological symptoms suggesting CNS toxicity/seizure risk.

(1)

Storage

As a hospital-administered injectable, storage and reconstitution are handled entirely by pharmacy/clinical staff according to the specific product's current instructions; not applicable for patient home storage.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only. Confirm current local availability before prescribing -- this medicine is discontinued in several major markets. Always refer to the current local product information where it remains marketed (e.g., Australia).

Historical US label (pre-2015 discontinuation)

Indication: Serious bacterial infections (respiratory, urinary, intra-abdominal, gynecological, bacteremia/septicemia)

Dose summary: Typically administered as an IV infusion of ticarcillin/clavulanate every 4-6 hours, dose individualized to infection severity, body weight, and renal function per the historical FDA label; not currently available in the US.

Renal context: Dose interval extended in renal impairment per the historical label; consult current local product information where the medicine remains marketed. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

No specific hepatic dose-adjustment data highlighted in the sources reviewed; use clinical judgement.

Overdose note

Overdose risk centers on CNS toxicity/seizures, electrolyte load, and bleeding parameters; manage with supportive care and monitoring in a hospital setting. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is ticarcillin still available?

It depends on the country. Ticarcillin (combined with clavulanic acid, as Timentin) was discontinued in the United States and Canada in 2015 by the original manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, for commercial reasons, and has also been discontinued in France. It remains actively registered and marketed in Australia by a different manufacturer (Aspen Pharmacare). Its current status in the United Kingdom and New Zealand could not be confirmed. Ask your hospital pharmacy about current local availability. (2) (4) (5) (6)

Can I get ticarcillin as a standalone antibiotic, without clavulanic acid?

No real standalone ticarcillin product for human use was found in any market checked. It was always marketed combined with clavulanic acid (Timentin/Claventin). In the United States, the only current listing found for the ingredient is as a bulk ingredient for animal drug compounding, not a human medicine. (3)

Why was ticarcillin/clavulanate discontinued in some countries?

GlaxoSmithKline stated the 2015 discontinuation reflected declining global demand and the availability of alternative antibiotics -- it was not due to a safety or efficacy problem with the medicine itself. (2)

What is the mechanism of action of ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid)?

What is the generic name of Ticarcillin?

The generic name is ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid). It is sold under brand names including Timentin (US/UK/Canada/Australia historical and, in Australia, current name), Claventin (France). (1) (2) (5)

What class of drug is ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid)?

Ticarcillin is classed as: Carboxypenicillin (extended-spectrum penicillin) antibiotic, historically combined with the beta-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid. (1) (2) (5)

References

TIMENTIN (ticarcillin disodium/clavulanate potassium) - prescribing information (historical, pre-discontinuation)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · United States · dated 2014 · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 1
GlaxoSmithKline discontinuation notice for ticarcillin/clavulanate (Timentin)U.S. Food and Drug Administration (GlaxoSmithKline discontinuation notice) · United States · dated 2015-02-09 · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 2
Ticarcillin sodium / potassium clavulanate powder - current DailyMed listingU.S. Food and Drug Administration (via DailyMed) · United States · dated 2026 · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 3
Timentin - Drug Product Database current statusHealth Canada (Drug Product Database) · Canada · dated 2015-03-23 · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 4
TIMENTIN powder for injection single dose vial - ARTG 11165Therapeutic Goods Administration · Australia · dated 1991-08-14 · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 5
Claventin / Timentin 3,1g (ticarcilline/acide clavulanique) - availability and discontinuation noticesAgence nationale de securite du medicament et des produits de sante (ANSM, France) · France (European Union) · dated 2020-08 · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient ticarcillin (almost always combined with clavulanic acid) names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

Timentin (discontinued 2015) (2) (3)discontinued no human product currently marketed · historical: 3.1 g and 3.2 g vials (3 g ticarcillin + 100/200 mg clavulanic acid) · Formerly GlaxoSmithKline; no current human-use marketing authorisation holder

Canada

Timentin (cancelled post market 2015) (4)cancelled post market · historical, product-dependent · Formerly marketed; Health Canada DPD status Cancelled Post Market

Australia

Timentin (5)current active register product · ticarcillin sodium/potassium clavulanate, powder for injection, single dose vial · Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd

View brands in additional countries.

France (European Union)

Claventin / Timentin 3,1g (discontinued) (6)