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.
|