Beta-lactamase inhibitor

A beta-lactamase inhibitor is a drug given in conjunction with a beta-lactam antibiotic. Although the inhibitor does not usually have significant antibiotic activity on its own,[1] it inhibits activity of beta-lactamase, a protein that confers resistance of beta-lactam antibiotics to bacteria.

Beta-lactamase inhibitors in clinical use include clavulanic acid and its potassium salt (usually combined with amoxicillin or ticarcillin), sulbactam and tazobactam.

References

  1. ^ "Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors". Department of Nursing of the Fort Hays State University College of Health and Life Sciences. October 2000. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927145707/http://www.fhsu.edu/nursing/otitis/bl_inhibit.html. Retrieved 2007-08-17.